Schumacher Brothers Feel Sorry for Frentzen

World Champion Michael Schumacher has admitted he feels sorry for his compatriot Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was yesterday fired from the Jordan team despite having a contract until the end of the 2002 season.

German Frentzen announced earlier this year he had decided to extend his current contract with Jordan until the end of next season, but in a surprising twist of events, the Silverstone-based outfit announced on Wednesday the 34-year old would be replaced by Brazilian Ricardo Zonta at this weekend's German Grand Prix.

Schumacher said he felt sorry for Frentzen and hoped he could find another team to return to Formula One next season.

"I feel very sorry for Heinz-Harald," said Schumacher today. "It is a bit of a shame because they had a good time together in 1999, which means Heinz-Harald cannot be too bad as a driver. But when times are difficult you should stick by your driver.

"Certainly, I’m not very happy seeing what has happened to Heinz-Harald, but he might get a better opportunity now."

Williams' driver Ralf Schumacher also showed his support and said that the decision could work in Frentzen's favour.

Ralf said: "I feel sorry for Heinz, especially the way it happened. But we don't know the reasons for it. In previous years I have had problems with this team and if people don't want to work together any more then that's it.

"I heard Heinz will be with us again in a different team and I think that is the best for Heinz. Eddie [Jordan] has big pressures and big sponsors, so one has to understand his decisions as well."

Frentzen was linked to Germany-based Toyota, who make their Formula One debut next season, before he was reconfirmed at Jordan last month and paddock speculation inevitably returned to that team.

But Toyota motorsport head Ove Andersson denied that his team were interested in Frentzen. Asked whether Briton Allan McNish, the Toyota test driver who hopes for a drive next season, had anything to fear from Frentzen being on the market, he replied: "Absolutely no worries whatsoever."

Frentzen had joined Jordan back in 1999, finishing in third place in the Championship after scoring two wins.