Grapevine: HHF Reported to Sign One-Year Arrows Deal

German Heinz-Harald Frentzen has signed a one-year deal to drive with Arrows in 2002, according to Sports-Informations-Dienst (SID) news service.

Frentzen entered talks with Arrows after the Prost team went into receivership, and according to SID news service he has signed a deal worth an estimated £500,000 for a year. Arrows have not confirmed their driver line-up for 2002, but an announcement on the appointment of 34-year-old Frentzen is expected early in the New Year. The team were unavailable for comment on Thursday.

Frentzen is currently involved in a court battle with former employers Jordan, who ended his contract in mid-season this year, and he is believed to have taken a major pay-cut to sign for cash-strapped Arrows. The appointment of Frentzen casts into doubt the future of Dutchman Jos Verstappen, who has signed a pre-contract agreement with Leafield-based Arrows for next year.

It is widely expected that Red Bull-backed Enrique Bernoldi will be retained because of the funds brought in sponsorship, leaving the experienced Verstappen out on the scrapheap. If Verstappen is left out in the cold by Arrows, Minardi could step in and pair him with Malaysian Alex Yoong.