Unquestionable talent
Among the missed Formula 1 world champions who would have had the talent to reach that coveted goal there is certainly one Heinz-Harald Frentzen. To German, grew up alongside Michael Schumacher in the Mercedes 'nursery', he is often attributed with a youthful talent equal, if not superior, to that of his compatriot who later became world champion on seven occasions. However, between mistakes and bad luck, Frentzen's Circus career never took off like that of the Kaiser.
Wasted chance
HH's big missed opportunity was the 1997 season. Called to Williams to replace the reigning world champion Damon Hill, Frentzen soon ended up in the shadow of Jacques Villeneuve, finding himself occupying the uncomfortable role of domestique in the Canadian's winning ride against Michael Schumacher. A year later, following a disappointing 1998 for Williams as a whole, Frentzen moved on, settling at Jordan.
Successful transfer
Recently on your profile Twitter/XFrentzen told some little more detail on the negotiation that brought him to Eddie Jordan's court, taking inspiration from a photo that portrays him chatting with the Irish manager and Damon Hill in the Monza paddock during the '98 season. The German was in those days finalizing his agreement with the Jordan team, who would welcome him from the following year, giving Ralf Schumacher to Williams in exchange.
“The 1998 Monza race came after that [a Spa, n.d.r.] Damon won the race with Ralf second. I was telling Eddie he was a lucky man – the German said on Twitter/X with his usual irony – we were in negotiations for the following year and in Monza we officially announced my move to Jordan for 1999“. That year would prove to be the best of Frentzen's career, author of two victories and finishing third in the World Championship standings after having long dreamed of triumph.
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