Frentzen Predicts More Ferrari Dominance in 2003

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen expects Ferrari to retain both the drivers' and constructors' titles in the upcoming 2003 season.

"Everybody's goal is to beat Ferrari, but I don't think that's possible at the moment," Frentzen said in an interview with German magazine Kicker. "Ferrari will retain their titles, and we'll see if Williams-BMW and McLaren-Mercedes can get closer. That's the logical situation."

Ferrari have clinched the last four Constructors' Championships while their star driver Michael Schumacher has won the drivers' crown for three years in a row, equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five world titles.

The Ferrari driver won 11 out of 17 races in a season completely dominated by the Italian squad.

Formula One will see the introduction of new rules next season, aimed at bringing back the missing excitement, and Frentzen, who will drive for the Sauber team next year, believes the new qualifying format could provide more entertainment than the actual race.

"Qualifying is going to be more interesting to watch," Frentzen said. "Due to the starting sequence - with the slowest from Friday going out first - it's really entertaining because you only get to do one lap with the car. I reckon Saturday's qualifying is going to be more interesting than the race on Sunday."