Frentzen uncertain about future but still smiling

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

SPIELBERG, Austria (Jul 24, 1998 - 15:05 EDT) - Williams Formula One driver
Heinz-Harald Frentzen refused to be drawn on Friday about rumours he is set
to leave the British team.

Ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix, the 31-year-old German was still
smiling despite reports Williams were disappointed with his performance and
would no longer be requiring his services in 1999.

"I do not wish to speak about my future," he said. "I refuse
to say whether I will remain in Formula One or move to the IndyCar series
(in the United States)."

And although the Williams team's technical director Patrick Head heavily
criticised him in a British motorsport magazine -- saying the German often
appeared to fall asleep during races -- Frentzen refused to comment.

"I do not wish to speak about that," he told a news conference in
Spielberg organised by his British-based team. "In fact, I do not wish
to speak about Williams."

When asked if he would speak about the present at all, Frentzen, once
considered an up-coming talent who could challenge compatriot and two-time
world champion Michael Schumacher, just grinned.

"I will probably be making an announcement about my future in two to
three weeks," said the man who was runner-up in last year's
championship behind Canadian teammate Jacques Villeneuve.

Frentzen, however, inherited that position after Schumacher lost all his
points for crashing into Villeneuve in the season's closing race in Jerez,
Spain.

But he is nevertheless pleased with himself. "Last year we had a few
mechanical failures but all in all it was a good year.

We fought for the title which only one guy can win."

This year, Frentzen and Villeneuve have collected only 19 points for the
nine-times constructors' title winners Williams and only a single podium
finish in the opening Australian Grand Prix.

Frentzen finished third in that race and Villeneuve fifth to mark the F1
circuit's most successful team's best result of 1998.

"This year has not been that great but I'm optimistic for the second
half of the season. The car is getting better," said Frentzen, adding
the British team's main problem had been the departure of star designer
Adrian Newey in mid 1997.

Newey moved to McLaren and designed the car which gave Mika Hakkinen four
wins this season and put the Finn atop the drivers' standings. His
team-mate David Coulthard topped the podium once and is overall third.

"Since Newey left we have had problems with our aerodynamics. But
recently we have been able to improve our whole package. I think we can do
well in Austria."

Villeneuve on Thursday announced he would be leaving Williams at the end of
the year and had signed on with the new British American Racing team.

Frentzen looks set to follow him out of the team as Williams have been
talking to a number of drivers.

They include defending IndyCar champion and current 'Champ Cars' leader
Italian Alessandro Zanardi, the two Sauber drivers Jean Alesi and Johnny
Herbert as well as Jarno Trulli from the Prost team.

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