Frentzen’s 14-year-old sister caught behind the wheel

THE 14-year-old sister of former Jordan Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen took a joyride in her mother’s car while her parents were watching Sunday’s French Grand Prix.

Nicole-Nadine Frentzen was detained by police after she was caught driving the car with her 11-year-old sister and a 12-year-old friend as passengers, a Moenchengladbach police spokesman said yesterday.

"We got a call from a driver who saw the under-age girl driving and a police car was dispatched to investigate," the spokesman added.

"She was stopped and faces charges of driving without a licence. Thank God nothing happened."

Her father, Heinrich-Harald Frentzen, picked up his daughter at the police station in the western German town.

He did not seem to be overly worried by the circumstances.

"She was born to race and wants to get her licence as fast as she can. On the go-kart track she's too much for the boys her age."

Germans must be at least 18 to obtain a licence. Frentzen, who drives for Sauber, finished 12th in the French race.

Meanwhile former Minardi Formula One driver Alex Yoong has moved to clear up speculation he was seeking

legal redress against the Italian team for unpaid wages, claiming it had been an option, but not one that he had

followed through.

The announcement comes in response to the Malaysian minister of youth and sports' request to all parties in the team/driver/sponsor dispute to settle the issue early and follows his offer to act as a mediator in the matter.

Yoong had been reported as taking legal action to recover all or part of the salary he claims he is still owed by the F1 minnow, but now insists that the stories were not entirely accurate.

"I was under an advisement from my lawyer earlier this year to consider legal action, but that was when Minardi was in dire straits," he explained.

"That was before the Canadian GP and now it is different. I had not decided to sue Minardi then and, now, with Minardi saved, we should accept the minister's mediation offer as a settlement will benefit all parties.

"It is a very welcome offer as it can only be good for all parties. I am all for settling the issue early, and hope the minister's offer will also be equally well received by all parties involved."