Frentzen wants points finishes for Arrows in 2002

By Huw Alban
April 28 2002

OrangeArrows new signing Heinz-Harald Frentzen has been talking to the Swiss press about his new team, the new Cosworth A23, and his aims for the 2002 season. Frentzen seems confident after only a few days in the new car that he can score points finishes for the team in 2002.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen was interviewed by the Swiss magazine Motorsport Aktuell, and was asked first about the scary rear wing failures that plague that first A23 test at Valencia last week.

"The problem (with the rear wing) can be put down to the new engine partner," he indicated. "The vibration frequencies of the Cosworth V10 are different from those of the Asiatech V10, which led to delamination at the wing, at two different points of the rear wing. We now need to modify some components to counteract this harmful frequency which spreads into the whole car."

This week at the Barcelona test, several sources have indicated that Technical Director Sergio Rinland was in attendance possibly overseeing the testing of these new components.

"Basically I'm satisfied," Frentzen continued. "They are very good people, I think a lot of them. Arrows has a promising package: the Cosworth engine runs very well, the basis of the car is okay. It doesn't look bad."

He was then asked about OrangeArrows chances for the 2002 season. "That's difficult to say at this point. First I'll try and do my homework. It's difficult to make any predictions, even more so because I could hardly watch the other teams. The target however is to score some points."

With last Thursdays annoucement still fresh in some fans minds, Motorsport Aktuell took the brave move to question the events that lead up to Heinz-Harald's eventual signing and whether the pending court case with former employer Jordan was a hindrance to him.

"No, it was no hindrance. There was, at most, an indirect connection to the negotiations with Arrows," he stated in reply. " I was determined to stay in F1. And I had intended to drive for Arrows."