Grapevine: Frentzen Denies Arrows Deal is Done

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen has admitted that he has held talks with the Arrows team over a one-year deal for 2002 but denied that a contract has been signed, as some rumours in the German press reported this week.

Frentzen opened discussions with Arrows when the Prost team went into receivership and he is expected to tie up a deal for next season early in the New Year. The 34-year-old said that he held talks with Arrows team owner Tom Walkinshaw before Christmas, but insisted that a deal is far from complete.

"Nothing at all has been signed yet," Frentzen told Die Welt newspaper in Germany. "But a decision will be made soon."

Frentzen also joked about the speculation surrounding his future in the interview.

"I went to the employment office in Monaco but they didn't have a job for me. I could clean boats and there is always demand for that," he said.

Frentzen is believed to be ready to take a 92 per cent pay cut to join Arrows on a £500,000 a-year deal after he previously earned almost £6 million a season with Jordan. The German driver is currently seeking compensation from Jordan, who ended his contract in mid-season this year, and he has decided Prost do not offer a serious option for 2002.

Jos Verstappen, who has signed a pre-contract agreement with Leafield-based Arrows for next year, is likely to be the man to make way for Frentzen with Enrique Bernoldi being retained because of his backing from Red Bull. Minardi could offer the only drive for Verstappen with team owner Paul Stoddart keen to partner the experienced Dutchman with young Malaysian Alex Yoong.