Jordan 'sacked HHF for Honda'

Frentzen's sudden dismissal from Jordan on the eve of the 2001 German Grand Prix came as a major surprise to all in Formula 1, not least Heinz-Harald himself, who only found out when he received a fax announcing the decision. Jordan has remained reticent about the matter ever since, but told Irish newspaper The Sunday Independent that he was forced into dropping Frentzen because Honda wanted Japanese driver Takuma Sato in the team for 2002.

"At the time I couldn't let him (Frentzen) renew the contract because my only way of holding onto the Honda engine was by giving Sato the drive," said Jordan.

Back in 2001 Honda had works engine deals with both BAR and Jordan, but the Japanese manufacturer was known to be considering focusing its efforts on one team. It ultimately parted company with Jordan in 2003 and now owns a majority stake in BAR, the team Sato now drives for. At the time of Frentzen's sacking, Sato was dominating the British Formula 3 Championship and was being strongly linked with a Jordan drive.

Frentzen had won two races with Jordan in 1999 and briefly challenged for the title, but in mid-2001 he was being outperformed by team-mate Jarno Trulli and his form had dipped after a large accident in Monaco. After being dropped by Jordan, Frentzen revived his career with some strong performances for the Prost team in the remaining races, while Jordan replaced him with Ricardo Zonta and Jean Alesi prior to Sato's arrival at the start of 2002.

"I loved Frentzen," continued Jordan. "He won more grands prix for Jordan than anyone else. But I had to protect the engine situation - that was absolutely crucial.

"I took it on the chin. Nobody except myself and one or two in Jordan realised why I had to do what I did. I was in a position I hated. I wanted to keep Frentzen but I couldn't."

Jordan recently sold his team to Alex Shnaider's Midland consortium, and although he retains a role in the organisation he is not expecting to attend the opening races of the 2005 season.