Frentzen sacked by Jordan

The Silverstone-based team announced today (Wednesday) that Frentzen's contract for the remainder of 2001 and 2002 is terminated with immediate effect.

In an official statement, team boss Eddie Jordan said: "It has been a disappointing season for both of us. We had an exchange of views following the British Grand Prix and this is the outcome."

Frentzen posted a terse statement on his own official website, saying: "Following an unexpected termination of my contract by Jordan Grand Prix Limited, I will likely not be driving in Hockenheim this weekend.

"The reasons I have been given for this termination I contest in their entirety. My position in this matter is now under legal advice. Due to the current situation, I am unable to make any further comment whatsoever at this time."

After Silverstone, Frentzen spoke out about the unreliability of Jordan's electronic 'gizmos', but it is unclear whether this was a contributing factor in his dismissal, or whether his poor form in 2001 was key.

The 34-year-old has endured a disappointing season relative to team mate Jarno Trulli. Frentzen has been outqualified nine times to one by the Italian and lies only 11th in the world championship standings, compared to Trulli's eighth overall.

Frentzen also crashed heavily in the Monaco Grand Prix and was forced to miss the following race in Canada while he recovered from the lingering after-effects. He was replaced in Montreal by Zonta, who acquitted himself well with 12th place on the grid and seventh in the race itself.

Prior to his Monaco accident, Frentzen and the team announced at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring that the German had extended his contract until the end of the 2002 season.

A team insider said that Zonta is currently only penned in for Hockenheim. A longer-term decision is expected from the team after the weekend.

Frentzen has been linked to a seat with Toyota, which enters Formula 1 in 2002.

In 1999, Frentzen had his halcyon year with the Jordan team. After picking up one victory with Williams the previous season, he scored two more victories with EJ's team and finished third in the drivers' championship.