Frentzen sacked by Jordon

[gallop]

News is just coming through here in Germany that H.-H. Frentzen has been fired by Jordan. A statement on Frentzen's home page says it seems unlikely that he will be racing at Hockenheim this weekend. So who will be his replacement???

[TimD]

Sky News just flashed this one up.

Ricardo Zonta's got the gig, certainly for Hockenheim - they're uncertain what they'll be doing after that.

Apparently, there was a "frank exchange of views" after Silverstone, which of course is PR-speak for a blazing argument.

[Stephen Green]

Heinz Harald Frentzen has been sacked with immediate effct by Jordon GP. Riccardo Zonta is to replace HHF for the German GP this weekend.

Stephen.

[bella]

*BOING BOING BOING*
terrible shame for frentzen, but i am so happy for ricardo! only last night i was settling down to the fact that i'd have to support a dtm driver next year.

come on ricardo, now's the time to show that evil arse villeneuve what you're really made of

[Wrex]

WOW !!!!!

I can't believe it. So many questions.

How will Zonta go (stick it to JV mate )?

Will Frenzie go to Toyota?

What about Alan McNish - Is it over for him now?

Is there a recording of this DISAGREEMENT ?

[Suzy]

I am amazed - but not totally surprised. I actually thought that if either Jordan driver was for the push it would be Trulli who has been less-than-complimentary about the team recently. In my opinion, it's not the best PR move for Eddie Jordan - firing a German driver a couple of days before his "home" Grand Prix may not be the best way to win fans and influence people.

But, "an exchange of views" does tend to mean something pretty ferocious (I really want to know what Heinz said!). Hopefully we'll get Heinz's version pretty soon - and nothing fudged either. There were a lot of "Frentzen to retire" stories not so long ago as well and it's possible that they might be part of the reason. I'm clutching at straws until I hear H-HF's version of the story - not just a one-sided press release from the team.

The only explanation I can come up with for Heinz's decision to step down is that it may have something to do with his Monaco accident. He suffered bruising on the brain and had to sit out the next race - who knows if it was more serious than we all originally anticipated. He may have decided that risking his life every fortnight just isn't worth it (remember he has a baby girl). I know a bit about Neuroscience/Neurology because that's my field of work and I edit quite a lot of material on the subject.

All I can say is that I hope he doesn't stay out of a drive for long. He's worth too much for that and he's such a nice guy. Last year at a test session, he posed for a picture with my youngest (handicapped) brother even though he was ill (he went home afterwards) and, in spite of being sent home, he willingly signed all autographs for everybody first.

Kind regards

Suzy

[gallop]

OK, here's a rough translation of the statement Heinz-Harald made on his home page:

"Because Jordan unexpectedly terminated my contract, I will almost certainly not be racing at Hockenheim this weekend.

I emphatically oppose the reasons given for this termination, and reject it completely.

I have instructed my lawyer to act on behalf of my interests.

At this point in time, it is not possible for me to make further statements."

That's all so far, but expect some dirty washing to be washed in public very soon...

[EERO]

I merged the two topics that had started, no posts have been lost.

This is a terrible shock. I've lost one of the guys I cheer for. But Jordan does seem to have lost the way for the past two seasons being unable to capitalize on the momentum gained during the 1999 season. This move makes it more likely that Trulli will stay at Jordan.

Whither HHF? Toyota is mentioned, which has to make McNish uneasy, but I wouldn't be surprised to see HHF in a Jag before the season is out, or alternatively. I have always thought he'd be perfect for McLaren, if the latest rumours about Hakkinen prove to be true, Frentzen would be a fine choice for Woking in 2002.

[Maisie]

WHA....????

[f1manoz]

Originally posted by bella
*BOING BOING BOING*

come on ricardo, now's the time to show that evil arse villeneuve what you're really made of

Most people and fans might agree with that point. He was treated shabbily by BAR and hopefully he can impress people enough at the race to secure a Jordan contract for next year perhaps.

Shame about HHF. If anything, I'd go with the fact that Frentzen has been critical of the team in the past few months regarding the fact JT has been whooping his arse all season long.

And I think this may be the end of the line for Heinz. I don't think Toyota will take him, as Salo and McNish already have contracts, as do the two Jaguar drivers Irvine and PDLR, unless anyone of those four are 'mysteriously sacked.'!

[downforce]

Finally!

Phew!

Alesi Next please!!!!

Frenzy, u R good u WERE good but u never proved ur point!

Jaguar maybe an ok place to sleep in till the end of the season!

Adiossa!

Fernando in a Jordan...yep!yep!

I think Nick's blocking @ Silverstone was the catalyst in EJ's mind.

[KC]

I must say I was surprised at the news, but I guess its a matter of what have you done lately instead of what have you done in the past. Surely Zonta will be pulling out all the stops to impress and could secure the seat for next year, but EJ may be about to introduce the next big unknown star in F1 has he has done in the past. Who can say?

[Gt_R]

Ironically, ITV-f1.com just uploaded an "A lap of Hockenheim with Heinz Herald Frentzen".

Indeed, HHF has been underperforming relative to his teammate this year and as much as he is a nice boy, his leaving might give an opportunity to drivers who deserve it much better. The Jordan is a quick car especially in Quals and so, is an excellent chance for others to prove their speed.

[Minardi fan]

I cannot believe it at all. I really really cannot. Still in shock, cannot type anything properly. Seriously.

[bella]

i don't care what people say, ricardo is a driver who, given the chance, could do as well as any of your over-hyped prima donnas. it's a shame that frentzen had to go, but if they've had a disagreement, they won't work well together, and they won't be at 100%.

so be happy for ricardo, and sad for frentzen. that's not too much to ask, is it?

[Mania]

I think its too early to put the blame on anyone. Jordan has'nt done himself any favours by disrupting his team a few days before a grand prix. Maybe Eddie is starved for attention - maybe Frentzen made a pass at Eddie's wife....

Either way, it truly is a bombshell. I'm happy for Zonta but I'd like to find out more. We probably will find soon enough.

[Greg Murray]

Well I think you my See Thomas Enge or Justin Wilson drive for Jordan while Ricardo Zonta going to Sauber replacing Nick Heidfeld or Kimi Raikonen.While Unlucky,again Alan McNish first Lola now Toyota with HHF replacing him.

[bella]

nope. zonta turned down sauber last year.
and he already knows the team, knows the car, why waste time getting another driver into it all when their third drivers is a very capable young man (ooer, i sound like my gran..)?

[Mekola]

According to Bella, it's a shame for Frentzen and a good opportunity for Ricardo. I thought about an alignment Trulli-Zonta for 2002, but I watch them together now.
About Frentzen, I think there isn't a good think he can made an agreement with Toyota, because it means the finish of the opportunity of Allan McNish to take his deserved drive in F1 after more of ten years of waiting. Actually there are a few drivers who must waited some years to be in F1 (like Irvine or the same Frentzen in early 90s) and others who are in aeternal waiting (Müller, Kristensen, and the list continues). Frentzen could be at Jaguar or Prost, or as a test driver in one top team, like Panis last year.

[Stephen Green]

The press release says that HHF has instructed his lawyer and therefore has been told to make absolutely no comment on the matter.

However, you don't have to be a brain surgeon (sorry Bella or whoever it is who works with brains) to see that HHF has been ill at ease for the majority of this season. Now, what about Sato getting promotion from F3 to Jordan. You've all forgotten about our little friend at BAR haven't you!

Stephen.

[LucaBadoer]

"Anything can happen in Formula One - and it usually does!"

[bghaw]

NEedless to say i was shocked when i read the news on HHF getting sacked by EJ. But i'm sure that a man as talented and skilled as HHF will have no problem finding a drive for next season, or perhaps even for the remainder of this season. We all know that contracts in F1 nowadays, means pretty much tit, so i really wouldn't be suprised to see HHF drive for Jag, Zonta to stay with Jordan this year, JV to Jordan next year, Zonta to BAR, PDL to Prost??/Minardi??/Toyota?? I doubt there will be any move for current drivers to Toyota as Salo and Mcnish have spent so much time acclimitising to the car that replacing either one of them will set Toyota's development even further back then they already seem to be. I guess we'll all see in due time.

[Run Free]

Originally posted by Stephen Green
You've all forgotten about our little friend at BAR haven't you!

Stephen.

Our little friend ?????

[Stephen Green]

Sato, who is BAR's test driver and is also sponsored by Honda in F3. Get the connection now?

Stephen

[bella]

oh no. sato doesn't know jordan. why would bar want him to go to jordan, taking their secrets with him?