BERLIN, Dec 28: German Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen says he has yet to finalise a deal to join Arrows but expects a decision soon.
“Nothing has been signed yet. But there should be a decision soon,” he told Die Welt newspaper on Friday. “I have already been in England for talks.”
Frentzen’s manager Monte Field said before Christmas that he and Arrows had “talked about what it takes to put a deal together” but nothing had been signed.
Field and Arrows were unavailable for comment on Friday. However British newspapers reported that the 34-year-old driver had accepted a one-year deal worth 500,000 pounds ($723,900) — a comparatively modest amount for a race winner.
Frentzen started last season as a Jordan driver but was sacked shortly before his home race in July and subsequently moved to Prost for the last five races.
The Guardian newspaper said the German was still seeking 3.4 million pounds ($4.92 million) from Jordan as the balance owing from his terminated contract.
Arrows have Dutchman Jos Verstappen signed up for another season but Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, backed by sponsor Red Bull, is seen as a more likely partner for Frentzen.
Prost are in receivership, saddled with debts of around $30 million and evaluating offers. Team boss Alain Prost has sounded gloomy about their chances of survival and set a Jan 14 deadline to find a rescuer.
Frentzen also joked about the speculation surrounding his future in the interview.—Reuters