Arrows 2003 future uncertain for Heinz-Harald

Former Sauber pilot
By Huw Alban
August 1 2002

The three week break in the F1 season normally sees the driver rumour mill spin up to full speed. Unfortunately the focus at the moment is on Arrows’ No. 1 driver, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, whose future with Arrows for 2003 looks very uncertain.

Aside from talk that he would move to Toyota for the Hungarian Grand Prix (since denied by Toyota), and speculation that he might return to Jordan, from where he was sacked a little under a year ago, the talented German has now been linked with a move back to former team Sauber.

Frentzen made his F1 début with the Swiss team in 1994, and stayed with them until the end of 1996. He gained a reputation for being loyal when Williams asked him to replace Ayrton Senna in ’94, after the Brazilian’s fateful crash at San Marino. The German stayed with Sauber under a statement that he couldn’t leave the team that had given him his F1 break.

According to several F1 news sources, Frentzen is known to be talking to many teams on the grid about opportunities, and a recent rift between Sauber and Felipe Massa has prompted rumours of a move back. Massa has publicly stated his annoyance with Sauber over a team order at the German Grand Prix, and it is known that team boss Peter Sauber is less than pleased with Massa’s reaction. Nick Heidfeld is already confirmed for 2003 leaving Massa’s seat open for any potential candidate. The team boss is also on record for stating that he would prefer Frentzen in the seat over Massa as early as the Hungarian Grand Prix – make of that one what you will !