What the worlds press are saying about Frentzen

Heinz-Harald
By Huw Alban
April 29 2002

Heinz-Harald Frentzen arrived on the scene at Arrows amid a fan-fare of optimism and then reality hit hard on the grid at Australia. Since then the worlds press have had a chance to re-assess the German and form an opinion on his move to the team. The views vary from country to country.

News and comment on Heinz-Harald Frentzen's shock signing at Arrows has been scarce since the beginning of the season, and this site and it's visitors have had to rely on the translated snippets of information gleaned from other press sources.

The Dutch magazine 'Race Report' which is allied closely with the RTL television network reported to have revealed the real reason for Frentzen's stall in Malaysia. According to site visitor Kevertje, "The reason Heinz-Harald Frentzen stalled at Malaysia was that he pressed his brake (pedal) too hard, and the system that shuts off the gas-pedal was activated !"

The magazine claims that all is not well on Frentzen's side of the Arrows garage either. According to Kevertje, an 'important' mechanic at Arrows has spoken to Race Report about the teams impressions of the German. "Technically he's good," starts Kever's translation, "but he is not giving a full 100% each time he gets out on the track."

"Jos is also good at the technical issues but he also hits it full each time on the track. That's why the combination Heinz-Harald and Jos would have been ideal for us."

Site visitor Zyzy has provided a different slant on the emerging Frentzen stories. Flicking throught the German press coverage of the 2002 season revealed an article in 'Stern' magazine which, aside from giving an insight to the person beneath Frentzen, also painted a picture of a driver working hard to bring the team up a level in the sport.

Swiss weekly MotorSport aktuell agree with the hard working sentiment, and are apparently impressed with the dedication that Frentzen is showing to the Arrows team. It also expresses appreciation of the A23's pace in Malaysia and Sao Paulo in the hands of the German. The paper tempers it's enthusiasm for his position in the team by admitting that his talents would probably be better realised in a better funded team.

JosFanatic finishes this look at Frentzen, by expressing a concern about what Frentzen is actually bringing to the team. "Every lead driver at Arrows has brought sponsors, it is the nature of F1 to have such personal sponsorship. Examples include, Arthur Andersen personally sponsoring David Coulthard, Damon Hill brought Zeptor & Danka and attracted other interest, Jos Verstappen attracted Trust, Chello, Lost Boys, and Eurobet, Enrique Bernoldi attracted Red Bull, Mark Webber attracted Australian sponsors. Heinz is bringing nothing to the team apart from a one year deal where if he walks (which he will) we are left with a defunct Arrows team. I mean Bernoldi doing a third season is doubtful... "