Frentzen Happy with First Points

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen was delighted after scoring his first points of the year at the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

The Sauber driver, returning to the Swiss squad this year after making his debut with them back in 1994, put on a solid performance in today's action-packed race to finish in sixth place, which thanks to the new regulations imposed this year, gave him and his team their first three points of 2003.

"It was pretty tight out there in the early laps. But then it dried out very quickly and I had to come in and change to grooved tyres," explained Frentzen. "After that the car was very consistent all through the race and my only problem was trying to get by Trulli, who blocked one way, then the other.

"But it was all fair stuff, and in the circumstances I'm happy to finish sixth and keep Alonso behind me."

Frentzen's teammate Nick Heidfeld, who like his compatriot got off to a flying start but then slipped down the order, retired from the race on lap 20 due to damage caused to his car's suspension after touching wheels with another driver early in the event.

"The opening laps were really good fun, but my wet tyres quickly lost efficiency," said Heidfeld. "If I had started further back I would have opted for grooved tyres, but since I was starting well up the grid I took the safe option. Once I had changed them the car did not feel normal because in the heavy traffic somebody had moved over and hit my right front wheel.

"Later on the suspension broke as a result of that, and I was really lucky not to hit Ralf when the car veered out of control."