SEPTEMBER 11, 1995

Herbert to join Frentzen?

JOHNNY HERBERT is expected to sign to be a Sauber-Ford driver within the next fortnight. The British star, dumped by Benetton for the 1996 season, won his second Grand Prix victory at Monza yesterday and is now third in the Drivers' World Championship ahead of Jean Alesi and David Coulthard.

Herbert, who is also having discussions with Jordan-Peugeot and a third team, which is probably Tyrrell, says he will not join Ferrari next year even if they asked him because he does not want to have play second fiddle to Michael Schumacher for another year.

Johnny kept a diplomatic silence this year about his problems with the Benetton team but once it was clear that he had no future at Benetton, Herbert decided to speak out to try to save his career.

Writing in his column in London's Evening Standard newspaper, Johnny said that Benetton never treated him fairly. He said that he has been prevented from studying information about Schumacher's car, despite the fact that Schumacher always had access to Johnny's data. He pointed out that he has done only half as much testing as Schumacher.

"I have been made to look second rate," says Herbert. "People see Michael winning in a Benetton and me lapping one or two seconds slower so they assume I am never going to make it as a top driver.... Michael is a selfish driver.... Given a car that I can develop to suit my driving style," he added, "I am confident that I can beat even Michael."