Frentzen Unlikely to Race in Hungary (Updated)

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen is unlikely to join a new team in time for this month's Hungarian Grand Prix after leaving the Arrows team, his manager Monte Field said on Friday.

Frentzen has been linked to both Jordan and Sauber over the past month but Field refused to say whether one of the two teams forced the German driver's move, which has left him without a drive in the middle of the season for the second consecutive year.

Frentzen was faced with the same predicament last season after being sacked from Jordan before the German Grand Prix. Then he found a seat with the Prost team in time for the Hungarian race, but Field said a similar scenario this year would be a surprise.

"It's probably less likely to happen (this time)," Field said. "I cannot say at the moment but we do intend to do everything we can to ensure he will drive at some time."

Field, however, hinted that there is a deal on the horizon when he added: "Something came up for us and it was just best that we ended our association with Arrows."

Toyota are also believed to be in the frame, but they confirmed that struggling Scot Allan McNish will not be replaced before the end of the season, making the German-based team a more unlikely destination for Frentzen.

No members of the Swiss Sauber team were available for comment but a spokesperson for Jordan said that they were "unaware of any plans to have Frentzen in the car."

Frentzen revealed his sorrow at leaving the team when they are faced with an uncertain financial future, but Field admitted that there was nothing the driver could do to help.

"There is not much more we could have done for Arrows," Field said. "It is something that we can't have much to do with. What happened in Magny-Cours had nothing to do with what the racing drivers could do.

"I think it was a question of trying to go to take his own future. We have certain understandings with what is going on at Arrows, but it is just time to focus on what is best for him."