Feature: Frentzen Faces Uncertain Future

Heinz-Harald Frentzen is enthusiastic about Sauber's future, even if his own role in it is uncertain.

The 36-year-old German will be out of contract at the end of the season with the Swiss team, who have been looking at alternatives. The paddock rumour mill suggests that both Frentzen, the second-oldest current driver after France's Olivier Panis at Toyota, and compatriot Nick Heidfeld will be replaced.

Jordan's Italian Giancarlo Fisichella has visited the Hinwil factory already and Brazilian Felipe Massa, who drove for Ferrari-powered Sauber last year, could return.

Frentzen, three times a race winner and veteran of 152 starts, has sent out few signals about what the future holds as he prepares for what could be his last home appearance in Sunday's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

"I don't want to think about the future at the moment to avoid any complications and misunderstandings," he told Reuters at the last British Grand Prix. "Ask me the question when everything is sorted. At the moment everything is in the process so I can't speak about it."

Frentzen's manager Monte Field, who was quoted at the weekend in Germany as saying that there were no offers from within Formula One, clarified the position.

"We are having talks with other teams," he said. "It is really a question of what you call an offer. If it is something that is ready to sign, then there are no offers. But there are talks and Sauber remain an option... we are not out of the picture there."

Retirement Talk

Asked whether he wanted to stay in Formula One, Frentzen said simply: "I don't want to make any comments about it." Field said such talk was premature but the speculation is already building up that Sunday's race could be a sort of farewell to the home fans.

"I'm still having fun but I don't necessarily have to remain a driver," Frentzen told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "It's more important that Nick stays in F1."

"If I want to continue racing but don't get a new contract, that would be a disappointment. If I don't feel any desire any more, then I won't have a problem quitting," he told Motorsport Aktuell magazine.

Frentzen started his career with Sauber, making his debut in Brazil in 1994, and returned this season following stints with now-defunct teams Prost and Arrows after being dismissed by Jordan just before the 2001 German Grand Prix. He has since resolved his differences with Jordan.

"It was a difficult time in respect of carrying all the weight and all the anger. But it's over," he said. "I know that in a couple of years if you look back, you would laugh and smile about it. That's one part of your life and the next part will come."

Good Start

Second overall in 1997 with Williams, and third in 1999 for Jordan, Frentzen gave Sauber a promising start to the season by collecting seven points from the first three races. Since then he has drawn a blank as the big, manufacturer-backed teams have squeezed out their smaller, independent rivals.

In recent races Sauber, fourth overall in 2001, have been competing more against tail-enders Jordan and Minardi than the big boys.

"We haven't made big enough improvements to be in a different category yet," said Frentzen. "We can get better, step by step, but it will be very hard to collect points in the next few races.

"At the beginning of the season of course everyone is motivated and looking forward but then you see the manufacturers, they all have made a step forward. They all have a strategy of winning the World Championship in the next three years.

"For the private teams it is going to be tougher and tougher. And we are a private team, don't forget it," he added. "But I have to admire Peter Sauber for investing in the future with the new wind tunnel, having a state-of-the-art wind tunnel is quite impressive even as a private team.

"I would say that the lack of success is only temporary. I strongly believe that Sauber will be going upwards."