AUGUST 25, 2002

Frentzen signs for Sauber

As we suggested would happen yesterday, Heinz-Harald Frentzen has let it be known that he has signed a one-year contract to race for the Sauber Petronas team next season. It is anticipated that Heinz-Harald will replace Brazil's Felipe Massa.

Frentzen told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that he had also had offers from Toyota, Jaguar and Jordan.

"We have had a special relationship ever since Peter Sauber gave me my start in F1 in 1994," Frentzen was quoted as saying. "Sauber also has the best technical package of the teams available."

The announcement is bad news for Felipe Massa who has been quick this year but has not been as consistent as might have been hoped for. Massa will now be looking for a drive but his obvious promise should give him the chance to land a drive elsewhere.