German · Mönchengladbach, West Germany · Born 18 May 1967German racing driver who finished runner-up in the 1997 World Championship with Williams and third in 1999 with Jordan, winning three Grands Prix across a decade in Formula 1.
Born on 18 May 1967 in Mönchengladbach, West Germany, Heinz-Harald Frentzen entered Formula 1 with Sauber in 1994. His performances so impressed Frank Williams that the team owner considered signing him to replace Ayrton Senna following the Brazilian's death, though Frentzen chose to remain with Sauber, helping steady the team after teammate Karl Wendlinger's serious Monaco crash. Frentzen finally moved to Williams for 1997, replacing reigning champion Damon Hill, and won his maiden Grand Prix at Imola that year, finishing the season runner-up in the Drivers' Championship after Michael Schumacher's disqualification from the standings for a collision with teammate Jacques Villeneuve. Frentzen's Williams tenure proved short-lived after an uncompetitive 1998 season, but he rebounded in 1999 with Jordan, winning the French Grand Prix in memorable fashion and finishing third in the championship in what was widely regarded as his finest season. Frentzen went on to drive for Prost and Arrows before returning to Sauber, where his F1 career had begun, to close it out in 2003. He finished with three Grand Prix victories, 13 podium finishes and a reputation, in the words of Frank Williams, for having an almost unmatched natural feel for a racing car. After retiring from Formula 1, Frentzen competed in Germany's DTM touring car series, continuing a long and varied career in European motorsport.
Finishing runner-up in the 1997 World Championship and being considered a natural successor to Ayrton Senna
How They Played
Smooth, instinctive driving style with exceptional feel for the car
Lasting Impact
Regarded as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation, if not always the most consistent
German Athletes