In what has been a disappointing season for all the Jordan team where relaibility has again been an issue repeating the failures of 2000, it appears that the likeable German has been selected to carry the can, despite renewing his contract with the team a few weeks ago.

The team statement read, "With immediate effect Jordan Grand Prix has terminated its contract with Heinz-Harald Frentzen for the 2001 and 2002 World Championships.

'It has been a disappointing season for both of us,' explained Jordan's Chief Executive, Eddie Jordan. 'We had an exchange of views following the British Grand Prix and this is the outcome.'

The team's third driver, Ricardo Zonta, will replace Frentzen for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim."

Heinz-Harald's official website has the following statement.
"Following an unexpected termination of my contract by Jordan Grand Prix Limited, I will likely not be driving in Hockenheim this weekend.

The reasons I have been given for this termination I contest in their entirety. My position in this matter is now under legal advice.

Due to the current situation, I am unable to make any further comment whatsoever at this time."

In his two and a half years with the team, Heinz-Harald has raced 43 Grand Prix scoring 71 championship points at an average of 1.651 points per race.
He has had two wins, at Magny-Cours and Monza, both in the 1999 season where the German was fighting for the drivers championship until the 3rd last race of the season.
He also scored Jordan, second ever pole position, ironically enough at the upcoming Hockenheim circuit, in 1999.

He began the season in promising form, finishing fifth in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and fourth in Malaysia. He has also registered a sixth (San Marino) , seventh (British) and eighth (French) but has failed to finish in five races, due mainly because of the EJ11 atrocious launch control and gearbox problems.
Frentzen is currently 11th in the drivers' standings on six points with team mate Jarno Trulli in eighth with nine points.

Earlier this year, Frentzen was linked to a big money drive with Toyota, which enters Formula 1 in 2002. It nows looks at if he will be able to take it.

Heinz-Harald has been by far Jordan's most successful driver, and today's announcement is a very sad day for Jordan's and Heinz-Harald's fans everywhere.