Verstappen

LONDON, England -- Dutchman Jos Verstappen could make a surprise return to the Arrows team as a replacement for German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, his manager Huub Rothengatter has said.

Verstappen, who had a signed contract to race for Arrows in 2002, was left without a job at the start of this year when Frentzen took his place with the British-based team.

He is in legal proceedings against Arrows, but could now be seeking a deal to get back in the car.

"We heard about Frentzen," Rothengatter said. "There are discussions. The lawyers are looking into what possibilities there are.

"We still have legal proceedings against Arrows but when things are sorted to our satisfaction, then why not? Things can be repaired, perhaps."

Rothengatter would not rule out an immediate return for Verstappen in time for next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

But that looks unlikely because there are just 10 days before the opening practice in Budapest.

Verstappen is suing Arrows for loss of earnings because he was unable to find another team after his contract was annulled so close to the start of the season.

Arrows is seeking an end to shareholders Morgan Grenfell's injunction preventing it from securing new investment, but Rothengatter, who talked of Arrows more positively than he has for much of the year, believes things are moving in the right direction.

"There is so much going on at Arrows behind the scenes and there is a lot of trouble to be solved that is nothing to do with Jos," Rothengatter said. "All sorts of actions are going on to get the things organized.

"We have been having some discussions with the team since February, when we were surprised to find out Jos was not driving. The lawyers are still speaking to each other."