By Huw Alban
July 20 2002

Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella suffered a heavy accident in free practice today and, under the advice of the medical experts at the circuit, will not compete for the team. Heinz-Harald Frentzen has been cleared to sub for the Italian.

It’s kind of ironic that Frentzen should be possibly going back to the team that he was sacked from last year. It has been made clear that this move will only be for the French Grand Prix, and that the German will be back with his own team for his home race in a week’s time.

It has been reported that Jordan made the request to the race stewards at Magny-Cours this afternoon. “The stewards consider the circumstances to be force majeure and are satisfied as to the competency of Heinz-Harald Frentzen,” the International Automobile Fédération (FIA) said in a statement.

“Provided there are no contractual difficulties and provided all teams competing in the 2002 French Grand Prix agree in writing by 09:15 on Sunday, the stewards permit the change of driver.”

If allowed to race with Jordan tomorrow, Frentzen will start at the back of the grid. The Jordan team are apparently waiting for Tom Walkinshaw to give permission for his driver to compete for another team.