Sauber: Renault Threat Behind Frentzen's Decision

Team owner Peter Sauber has revealed that the fight for fourth place in next year's Constructors' Championship with Renault pushed him into signing the experienced Heinz-Harald Frentzen in place of rookie Felipe Massa for next year.

Hinwil-based Sauber announced last weekend that 34-year old Frentzen would partner compatriot Nick Heidfeld next season and the team boss said that doubts about the Heidfeld-Massa partnership resulted in him opting for Frentzen for 2003.

Renault and Sauber are separated by only four points in this year's Championship, the French squad ahead of the Swiss outfit.

"At that time, it was not clear whether the combination of Heidfeld and Massa would be strong enough to beat Renault for the next season," Sauber told F1 Digital+a today in Belgium.

Swiss Sauber revealed that a number of options were considered to replace Brazilian Massa next year, and he said he held talks with Jenson Button, Giancarlo Fisichella and Olivier Panis as well as Frentzen.

"We spoke with Jenson and Fisichella and Frentzen and also with Panis and I think that all these drivers are on a similar level," he added. "I think a combination with Heinz-Harald Frentzen will be a very good one. I think that both drivers are on a similar level and that's so important, then it's possible that they will push each other."

Sauber has offered a test driver role to Massa for next season, but the 21-year old has already admitted that his main priority is to continue racing. Sauber said he wanted Massa to stay but reckoned a racing seat would be too tempting for the Brazilian to refuse it.

"Don't forget also Nick is a very young and talented driver," he said. "I hope I can keep him (Massa), but I think that if it's possible for him to drive with another team, then he will drive."