Frentzen Unlikely to Test Sauber before December

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen has revealed that he is likely to have to wait until December to test for his new team Sauber because he is too tall for the team's current chassis.

Frentzen, who quit cash-strapped Arrows in a bid to finalise a move to Sauber for next season, will join compatriot Nick Heidfeld at the Swiss team in place of Brazilian Felipe Massa. But his 1.78-metre frame is considerably taller than 1.64-metre high Heidfeld and Felipe Massa, who stands two centimeters taller than his current teammate.

Speaking on his return to the team's Hinwil factory Frentzen said that modifications will have to be made to the current car to accommodate him which will prevent him from testing until December.

"The team will have to make considerable modifications to one of their cars to get me to fit, as I am quite a bit taller than the current drivers," Frentzen said. "So I will probably not drive before December."

The German said he feels at home again with Sauber and insisted that he felt the time was right to make his return to the team where he started his Formula One car and spent three seasons between 1994 and 1996.

"Normally it takes a while before you feel at home in a new team," he said. "But coming to Sauber is like coming home for me and I cannot wait to start working on next year's car."

"Ever since I left Sauber to go to Williams in 1997 Peter (Sauber, team boss) has been trying to get me to return to the team. Even when I left, I said to them that I will be coming back one day. Now the timing is right.

"It did not take me very long after we talked to make up my mind that Sauber was where I wanted to be for the coming season."