GERMAN Heinz Harald Frentzen predicted a close battle for this year's Formula One drivers' championship when he spoke at a function yesterday in Dublin Castle to announce details of the Rothmans sponsored Phoenix Park Motor races to be held in August.
Fresh from his victory in the San Marino Grand Prix, the Williams driver was relaxed and confident. "Jacques said a while ago that it was more fun when the competition was close. I firmly intend to make sure he has a lot of fun," quipped the Munich born driver who turns 30 today.
Frentzen competed at Mondello during the 1986 Formula Ford 2000 Euroseries. "I remember it was very bumpy - both the track and the roads getting to the track - but it was a lot of fun."
His big break came in winning the German Opel Lotus championship in 1988, but his year with Eddie Jordan's F3000 team in 1990 was a disaster. He finished 16th in the series, while team mate Eddie Irvine was third.
His Formula One chance came in the Sauber Mercedes team in 1994. May that year was a nightmare for the rookie - fatal Imola was followed by Monaco where his team mate Karl Wendlinger suffered critical head injuries. Williams needed Frentzen to replace Senna but, in a loyal gesture rare in Formula One, Frentzen opted to stand by Sauber in their hour of need.
Since replacing Damon Hill at Williams last November, it hasn't been all plain sailing. "But now everything is sorted and we will have a close competition with Jacques (Villenueve) from now on," he said.
