Frentzen's Nurburgring jinx returns

The German led his home race here last year only to be sidelined by electronic problems.

This time he dodged the melee on the first corner and set his sights on a place in the points only to have his Mugen-Honda expire.

Frentzen's on-off Nurburgring fortunes have seen him either scores points or fail to finish. He has retired here four times, and finished the other three races fifth and sixth.

"This has been a very disappointing weekend all round," he said.

"Things have just not gone our way - and that is frustrating when you know your car is competitive.

"I took to the grass to avoid the first corner accident and was feeling in control and ready for a long race because I had started with a high fuel load when the engine went.

"We've just got to put this race behind us."