Frentzen and Arrows part company

THE Arrows team has announced it is parting company with lead driver Heinz Harald Frentzen and this could open the door for the German to return to the Jordan team next year.

Last night it emerged Frentzen could be on his way to Sauber for the rest of this season after being released from his contract with the Arrows team.

The 35-year-old may replace Brazil’s Felipe Massa when the Grand Prix season resumes after its summer break in Hungary. Frentzen ended his race-by-race deal with Arrows because of the financial uncertainty surrounding the team.

Boss Tom Walkinshaw has been in talks with several investors for the past few weeks as he looks to save his Oxfordshire-based outfit.

‘‘Heinz told us that due to the uncertainty at Arrows, he wished to stand down and we did not want to stand in his way,’’ said Walkinshaw.

‘‘I’d like to wish him all the best and thank him for the hard work he put in at Arrows.’’

Frentzen joined Arrows at the start of this campaign having moved to the now defunct Prost outfit after being sacked by Jordan midway through last season.

He has scored both of Arrows points this season with sixth place finishes in Spain and Monaco but failed to qualify for last month’s race in France in controversial circumstances.

Swiss-based Sauber, where Frentzen launched his career in 1994, has emerged as favourites to land him with 21-year-old Massa failing to impress in recent races.

‘‘I am in the process of sorting out my future in Formula 1 as I am still in love with the sport and full of enthusiasm,’’ said Frentzen, a three-time Grand Prix winner in his 140-race career. But any move to Sauber for the remaining five races this season could depend on whether it will also bring a drive in 2003.

If Jordan were to do a deal to race Ford engines, as is expected, they too would be delighted to have a German on their books, given the strategic importance of the German market.

Meanwhile, Arrows will announce who is to partner Brazil’s Enrique Bernoldi with the contenders likely to be France’s Sebastien Bourdais, who has tested for the team, and Tomas Enge of the Czech Republic.