MARCH 9, 2001

Traction Control was in Melbourne - Frentzen

JORDAN driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen has expressed fears that some teams may be using traction control before its legal introduction at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

Frentzen finished the season-opening Australian Grand Prix fifth, between the two Saubers of Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen and he said he was bewildered that he could not pass the two Sauber men with more ease.

The Swiss-based Sauber team finished fourth and sixth in the race after their protest knocked BAR's Olivier Panis out of the points, but Frentzen targeted Sauber in comments on his official website.

"I don't know if traction control comes as a factory option with Ferrari engines," he said. "But every time I got close in a slower corner he (Heidfeld) would pull away under acceleration which was strange as I could here the engine misfiring."

Teams have already voiced their concerns over the decision to allow the teams more time to develop their traction control systems before the introduction in Barcelona.