Formula 1: Schumachers unite behind deposed Frentzen

The Schumacher brothers today ganged up on Eddie Jordan as they came out in support of compatriot Heinz-Harald Frentzen following the German’s shock sacking.

Frentzen suddenly found himself unemployed yesterday, his contract terminated with immediate effect despite 18 months still to run on a two-year deal worth £4m.

Team boss Jordan hinted at an internal bust-up with the 34-year-old, citing an "exchange of views" in the wake of a disappointing British Grand Prix 11 days ago.

Frentzen, deprived of racing in front of his home crowd at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim this weekend, is understandably furious and has since placed the matter in the hands of his lawyers.

Although Frentzen is refusing to inflame a situation which has shaken the Formula One world by speaking out against Jordan, he at least has allies in Michael Schumacher and younger brother Ralf.

The two drivers today turned against the man who gave them their big break in F1 for it was Jordan who recognised their potential.

Michael started out with Jordan in 1993, and such was his performance in his one-and-only race for the Silverstone-based outfit he was instantly poached by Benetton with whom he became a double world champion in 1994 and 1995.

Ralf, meanwhile, debuted with Jordan four years later and spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons under the wing of the charismatic Irishman, who now finds himself under fire from both men.

Ralf, at least, can understand the problems Frentzen must have encountered as the 26-year-old alluded to his own troubled times with Jordan.

"I feel sorry for Heinz," said Ralf. "Obviously we don’t know the reasons for it, but I had problems when I was with this team.

"It happens sometimes and if people just don’t want to work together any more then it’s best to stop. It doesn’t help anyone.

"But I am sure next year Heinz will be with us again in a different team and if that’s the case then I’m sure it will be a better option for him anyway."

Michael, looking to equal Alain Prost’s all-time record of 51 grands prix victories on his home circuit on Sunday, echoed some of his brother’s sentiments.

"Like Ralf I also feel very sorry for Heinz-Harald," said Schumacher, a leading figure of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, and who is

losing in on his fourth world title following his success with Ferrari last year.

"It’s a bit of a shame because they (Frentzen and Jordan) had a good time together in 1999, which means as a driver he cannot be too bad.

"When times are difficult you have to stick with a driver. That’s a problem we have seen before. Certainly I am not very happy seeing what has happened to Heinz-Harald, but I suppose he might get a better opportunity now."

Ralf was unable to rule out the prospect of a possible backlash from the German fans towards Jordan, although they at least tried to understand the thinking behind such a momentous decision.

"To be fair to Eddie, he has a lot of pressure on him," added Ralf.

"He has major sponsors backing him and he has to prove Jordan are a good team to stay with.

"He is under pressure to deliver, so you have to understand his decisions as well."

It is believed Frentzen was told he would be dismissed after this race so as not to upset one of the team’s key sponsors in Deutsche Post, who pump in around £15m per year.

But Frentzen, now understood to be taking an earlier-than-expected holiday in Spain, refused to accept such a scenario and so was fired ahead of his home grand prix.

Ricardo Zonta, who has been the team’s test driver this season, will step in, with the Brazilian expected to be handed the seat for the five remaining races beyond this weekend.