Heinz IS off to Prost

f1manoz · 8 Aug 2001, 12:50 (Ref:127540)

From Planet-F1:

Prost welcome Frentzen on-board

August 8: Alain Prost wishes his former driver all the best at his new team, and welcomes Heinz-Harald Frentzen…
After 29 Grands Prix within the Prost Acer team, Jean Alesi has expressed his wish to put an early end to his contract which was due to last until the end of the 2001 season.

Alain Prost, considering Jean’s large contribution to the team’s progress in the last two years and their long relationship, has decided to release his driver and wishes him all the success he deserves within his new team.

The Prost Acer team is pleased to announce that, from the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards (August 19th in Budapest), Heinz-Harald Frentzen will drive the AP04 alongside Luciano Burti for the remainder of the 2001 season.

Alain Prost :
" It is essential to preserve our team’s serenity in this moment when we are building up Prost Grand Prix’s future and consolidating our strategy for the upcoming years. This is why I chose to release Jean.

”I am delighted to welcome Heinz-Harald Frentzen in our team. His achievements in the last few years place him among the best drivers, and his large experience within top Formula One teams will be a strong asset for us for the remainder of the 2001 season. His arrival allows us to prepare the team’s future with confidence. "

Heinz-Harald Frentzen :
" I am happy that Alain Prost offered me to drive for the last five Grands Prix. It was very difficult to turn down the opportunity to tackle this new challenge and I am looking forward to support the team for the rest of the season. "

Basically the worst kept secret in F1 was confirmed with Alesi going to Jordan but Frentzen going to Prost was a surprise.

**Bononi** · 8 Aug 2001, 13:00 (Ref:127541)

Yes it is.

And he didn't deserve to be running there...

Airhead · 8 Aug 2001, 13:01 (Ref:127542)

Heinz 57 Varieties and Prost.

But I like these guys!

2002 WDC???

I can only hope.

Ferrari Girl · 8 Aug 2001, 13:02 (Ref:127543)

It's a step back, but I guess a bad drive is better than no drive at all.
I must add a YAY...coz I am a HHF fan!!

Champ69 · 8 Aug 2001, 13:03 (Ref:127544)

This is not F1 this is a game of musical chairs!

Jay · 8 Aug 2001, 13:08 (Ref:127547)

Maybe this is the end of the silly season...lol. From now on, if a driver wants to leave, or a team wants to get rid of him, he will jump ship immediately or be fired immediately... What a sport..

Alan Jones · 8 Aug 2001, 13:10 (Ref:127548)

Yippee,
Heinz has been reborn and the world is rejoicing.
Good stuff, better than nomans land for Heinz

Minardi fan · 8 Aug 2001, 13:20 (Ref:127553)

SUPERB!!! Heinzy deserves an F1 drive, and I don't care who it's with. GO HEINZ GO!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

JeremySmith · 8 Aug 2001, 13:22 (Ref:127554)

There are four issues that come to mind here..

1. If Prost Grand Prix are unable to pay Jean Alesi for his services,then how the dickens are they going to pay Heinz-Herald Frentzen..Who IMHO deserves way better than Prost

2. With Heinz-Herald driving for Prost he will be in an F1 car,although not much of a car I have to say..

3. I was under the impression that Prost Grand Prix was bankrupt, is this rumor or fact? Does anyone know which engine they are going to use next year,is it going to be Asiatech??

4. It seem's to me that Eddie Jordan is simply pulling at straws, the Jordan chassis is just not very good..Jean Alesi (while being one of my favorite drivers) can only do so much..If the car does not have what it takes..Is Jean going to make that much difference?

Speed · 8 Aug 2001, 13:37 (Ref:127559)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
Heinz 57 Varieties...

Ok Moff, translation here, please..., is this the new Kamasutra version or what ?

Quote:

Originally posted by Jersound
1. If Prost Grand Prix are unable to pay Jean Alesi for his services,then how the dickens are they going to pay Heinz-Herald Frentzen..Who IMHO deserves way better than Prost

I don't think HHF had too many options, so it's time to be not-so-picky about the contract ($$$).

Airhead · 8 Aug 2001, 13:42 (Ref:127563)

No problem Speed.

An Australian saying concerning two things.

1. Heinz baked beans and a multitude of types (of beans)

2. A popular saying for dogs whose breeding is coloured and suspect as a result.

For me,

another cheap shot! But against a driver a really admire.

**Bononi** · 8 Aug 2001, 13:55 (Ref:127568)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
No problem Speed.

An Australian saying concerning two things.

1. Heinz baked beans and a multitude of types (of beans)

2. A popular saying for dogs whose breeding is coloured and suspect as a result.

For me,

another cheap shot! But against a driver a really admire.

Good on that, Moffie

Alan Jones · 8 Aug 2001, 13:56 (Ref:127569)

Speed · 8 Aug 2001, 14:02 (Ref:127576)

Thanks for the explanation...,

I thought it was something about MS' wife..., hmmmmm..., wait, the one in that story is Frentzen or Heidfeld ?...... German Gossip always confuse me.

Tristan · 8 Aug 2001, 14:06 (Ref:127583)

Why are we CELEBRATING??

a) it's just a 5 race contract, NOTHING for next year (I personally reckon he'll take a sabbatical)

b) his reputation (oh so important in F1) is in TATTERS

c) who would you rather be driving for, Jordan or a Prost (nearly bankrupt, remeber??)

BBKing · 8 Aug 2001, 14:11 (Ref:127587)

That is ironic to say the least. HHF bashing Ferrari for the TC and now he has the chance to try it. LOL

Is a good thing that they reiterated that is only for the remaining races in both cases. I don't think Aleasi has what it takes to win and it would be a shame to waste a good seat in 2002. HHF will replace PDLR at Jaguar. I am sure about it.

Liz · 8 Aug 2001, 14:17 (Ref:127591)

Have a look at the ITV website and the Mole 130 "Jean and Jordan" for a pretty good explanation of how this thing is going to play out - in his very reasoned opinion.

But so far it is a massive anticlimax.

Imagination is far more interesting than reality, isn't it?

padmah · 8 Aug 2001, 14:18 (Ref:127593)

Tell you what folks its going to be very interesting to see if alesi is quicker than heinz in the jordan or will frenzten improve on alesi s drives for prost.

enemy-ace · 8 Aug 2001, 14:21 (Ref:127597)

I think that Prost have gotten the better F1 pilot in this situation, finally something has worked out for them, to bad for Heinz though. Hopefully it (the drive)will keep him relatively sharp for any better future drive. I don't think there is an open seat at Jaguar for him next year however, as PDLR has a contract for next year. But then again F1 contracts aren't exactly ironclad are they.

Speed · 8 Aug 2001, 14:22 (Ref:127599)

Quote:

Originally posted by BBKing
That is ironic to say the least. HHF bashing Ferrari for the TC and now he has the chance to try it.

Yep, but this was before Barcelona..., In addition, Jordan was using TC as well (after Barcelona, I mean).

JeremySmith · 8 Aug 2001, 14:26 (Ref:127603)

Quote:

Originally posted by BBKing
That is ironic to say the least. HHF bashing Ferrari for the TC and now he has the chance to try it. LOL

Is a good thing that they reiterated that is only for the remaining races in both cases. I don't think Aleasi has what it takes to win and it would be a shame to waste a good seat in 2002. HHF will replace PDLR at Jaguar. I am sure about it.

It is ironic BB,I agree..IMHO I think that Jean Alesi has what it takes to win races,he is a pure racer..Now if they need to hire a Sony Playstation type driver to do the job..Then everyone involved in F1 needs to sit down and do a massive re-think..

I am not so sure that Jordan is a great seat at the moment..Jarno Trulli is keeping his options open isn't he!

LucaBadoer · 8 Aug 2001, 15:44 (Ref:127646)

I can't wait until the next wet race!

Go Jean Go!!!!!!!!!

Minardi fan · 8 Aug 2001, 16:25 (Ref:127665)

A new confirming story from Planet-F1:

Jean Alesi will drive for Jordan for the rest of the season.

Jordan confirmed the appointment minutes after Alesi quit his role at Prost.

Alesi replaces Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was sacked prior to last month's German Grand Prix.

Frentzen will take Alesi's drive at Prost.

Alesi joins up with Eddie Jordan again 12 years after winning the F3000 championship for the Irishman.

And team boss Jordan said in a statement: "I am delighted that Jean is joining us again.

"His experience will be invaluable to us, but equally important will be his energy and enthusiasm.

"He is a great motivator and will drive the Jordan Honda EJ11 with real fire in his belly."

Alesi added: "I am overjoyed by this development in my career.

"Eddie launched me into Formula One, so to return to race for him after all this time is something very special.

"Although I will not be able to test the car before racing in Hungary, I feel so motivated that I don't believe this will be a problem. I am very excited."

Alain Prost said he agreed to release Alesi as he is planning for the future of his team.

"It is essential to preserve our team's serenity in this moment when we are building up Prost Grand Prix's future and consolidating our strategy for the upcoming years. This is why I chose to release Jean," Prost said in a statement.

The Frenchman contested 29 grands prix for the team.

JeremySmith · 8 Aug 2001, 16:31 (Ref:127667)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
Imagination is far more interesting than reality, isn't it?

That depends my dear! nod nod wink wink..know what I mean

R · 8 Aug 2001, 19:58 (Ref:127750)

On one hand it's disappointing to see Heinz-Harald take a step down the ladder like that. On the other, it's good that he after all still has an F1 drive.

I have to agree with what Jay said in his previous post though.

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