[Raceboy]

Rumours have emerged that Jos Verstappen could sue the Arrows team for $1.5 million after he was replaced with Heinz-Harald Frentzen last Thursday. However, in an interview with his official web site he refused to confirm if they were true.
"Precisely, you said it "rumours". And those rumours are bothering me," he stated. "I think I'll leave it at that. In June last year they renewed my contract for 2002. With that I'm off the market for any other teams. So they don't come with any offers either cause you're signed.

"That didn't bother us because we were very pleased with the technical and financial package which lay ahead of us. We thought it was fine, not to worry. But when you get tossed out only weeks before the season starts you can't negotiate anymore. But who would expect that? So believe me, 1.5 million US dollars is only a little bit of all the financial damages I have right now.

"This is the way it happened, Huub Rothengatter (Verstappen's manager) saw, around about 9am, on the site of Arrows that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was confirmed to drive for Arrows. He immediately called Raymond Vermeulen and myself. We didn't quite know what to say to each other.


"We were, like Huub said, shocked by the news. (Tom) Walkinshaw didn't call me until 11am. It was a short conversation. The only thing he said was that they had chosen Frentzen, without any explanation."

There has been speculation that he could be hired as a test driver for Ferrari next year, because of his friendship with Michael Schumacher. However, the Dutchman did not seem convinced. "Who wouldn't like driving for Ferrari?" he was quoted as saying.

"Look, I'm a close friend of Michael, we go on holiday together and travel together to grand prix's, but in the end the management of Ferrari calls the shots who gets a testing role at their team."


But Verstappen has not become too downbeat, despite the lack of seats in formula1. "I can't see into the future but nothing is certain. But I do believe that I will be driving in the coming season. What is this thought based on you ask? Well my gut feeling," he said.

"I know for sure that if something happens in formula1, that I will be one of the serious contenders to take over a seat. We have had talks with every team that is no secret, Mika Salo, (driving for Toyota) for example, is charmed by my driving capabilities and experience.

"We just look at the opportunities at hand, that's all I can say about it at the moment. I can name a few other names, but nothing more!


bron: emazing racer