Jordan Wants Frenzten Back

Eddie Jordan has offered Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen a spot in his Formula One team next season, according to a report to be published in Tuesday's edition of Germany's Auto Bild newspaper.

"I want Heinz back," the paper quotes Jordan, who ended Frentzen's last spell at the team by firing him in the middle of the 2001 season, as saying.

"If you want, you've got a place with me," the report says Jordan told the 36-year-old, whose contract with Sauber was not renewed at the end of the season.

Sacked by Jordan before his home German Grand Prix in 2001, Frentzen joined Prost for the final five races of that season while also taking legal action against his former employers. The action was later settled.

But Frentzen has said he will not rejoin Jordan unless they can offer a secure financial basis and $2 million in wages, the newspaper said, quoting sources. Without the financial conditions being met, the newspaper said, Frentzen would move to the German touring car championship.

In a nine-year Formula One career, Frentzen has won three races. His best season was in 1997 with Williams when he finished second in the drivers' standings. He was third in the title race with Jordan in 1999, winning two races in the team's most successful season to date.

The end of his deal with Sauber, who have replaced Frentzen and compatriot Nick Heidfeld with Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella, led to speculation that the German's Formula One days might be over. But he has since also been linked to a drive with Jaguar for next season.