Frentzen

MAGNY-COURS, France -- Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen, abruptly fired by Eddie Jordan last year, could make a shocking return to the Formula One team in Sunday's French Grand Prix.

Race stewards agreed Saturday to a one-off request by Jordan for Frentzen to replace Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, who was prevented from qualifying on medical advice after crashing in practice.

Frentzen, the most successful driver in Jordan's history with two wins including France in 1999 when he was third in the standings, was fired last July before his home German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

He joined Arrows this season, but the team has major financial problems and neither of its cars qualified for Sunday's race after a half-hearted attempt.

"The stewards consider the circumstances to be force majeure and are satisfied as to the competency of Heinz-Harald Frentzen," the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement agreeing to the substitution.

"Provided there are no contractual difficulties and provided all teams competing in the 2002 French Grand Prix agree in writing by 0915 on Sunday, the stewards permit the change of driver."

The agreement of other team bosses is crucial. Sources said Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw had already agreed.

If the rest give the nod, F1 fans will witness a former French Grand Prix winner starting at the back of the grid in a car capable of finishing in the points.

Frentzen, 35, spent two and a half years at Jordan before being dismissed on July 25 last year after an "exchange of views" at the British Grand Prix.

The aggrieved driver subsequently took legal action against Irish entrepreneur Jordan.

The decision to replace him last year was met with dismay in Germany, with Deutsche Post the team's major sponsor.

Jordan, who replaced Frentzen with French veteran Jean Alesi before bringing in Fisichella and Japan's Takuma Sato this season, said at the time the German was a nice guy who had to go for the sake of the team.

"You will never find an easier or a nicer person to drive for you," he said, two days after the team had issued a statement saying that Frentzen was fired. "Heinz is one of the nicest people who ever drove a racing car and a fantastically nice man."