Frentzen

HINWIL, Switzerland -- German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen will probably have to wait until December to test for Sauber because he is too tall for the team's current chassis.

Frentzen is to join compatriot Nick Heidfeld at Sauber next season in place of Brazilian Felipe Massa, but his 1.78-meter (5-foot-10) frame is considerably taller than 1.64-meter (5-foot-4½) Heidfeld and Massa (1.66 or 5-foot-5½).

"The team will have to make considerable modifications to one of their cars to get me to fit, as I am quite a bit taller than the current drivers," said Frentzen. "I will probably not drive before December."

Frentzen quit cash-strapped Arrows last month and was confirmed in Sauber's lineup for 2003 last weekend. Sauber gave the 35-year-old his Formula One chance in 1994.

Returning to the Sauber factory on Tuesday, the German said: "Normally it takes a while before you feel at home in a new team. But coming to Sauber is like coming home for me and I cannot wait to start working on next year's car.

"Ever since I left Sauber to go to Williams in 1997 Peter (Sauber, team boss) has been trying to get me to return to the team," said Frentzen. "Even when I left, I said to them that I will be coming back one day. Now the timing is right."

At Monza in Italy, Michael Schumacher returned to action following his record-breaking 10th victory of the season in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

The German topped the times in his Ferrari with a best time of one minute 24.595 seconds during his 57-lap workout.