Driver transfer frenzy as Frentzen threatens McNish

The Formula One teams may be heading for home or the beach to take a mid-season holiday, but the three-week break from racing appears to have provided a transfer window for feverish activity in the driver market.

A central figure in the negotiations is the experienced German Heinz-Harald Frent-zen, who retires from his home grand prix here on Sunday long before his compatriot, the world champion, Michael Schumacher, completed his victory and celebrated with an ecstatic crowd of 120,000.

Frentzen, currently driving for Arrows, is being linked with a move to Toyota or Sauber and a deal could be thrashed out before activities on the track resume in Hungary, on Sunday week.

According to some Formula One sources, Frentzen has had talks with Toyota, which again appears to cast doubt over the position of Allan McNish, the British driver who made his debut with grand prix racing's newest team this year. There are even suggestions that the change could be made before the end of the season.

However, McNish boosted his cause by out-qualifying his team-mate, Mika Salo, for the race here and is adamant he is not about to be shown the door.

McNish said: "The stories are very frustrating because they are nonsense. They are not the stories I am hearing from inside the team and I'm very comfortable with my position. I aim to stay here.'' Toyota, based in Germany, and Sauber, the Swiss team, offer the prospect of a lucrative contract for Frentzen, who is understood to have had minimal income from his agreement with Arrows.

Of all the mid and lower-table teams, Toyota have perhaps the greatest potential in terms of resources. Sauber are less wealthy yet have technical connections with Ferrari and are consistently competitive.

Sauber were one of the teams keen on signing Britain's youngest driver, Jenson Button, released by Renault. They tried to lure him away from BAR-Honda at the 11th hour with a bigger offer and the possibility of a switch to Ferrari in two years, when Schumacher's present contract expires.

A rumour that the Spaniard, Fernando Alonso, could take over from Button at Renault before the end of the season has been discounted by the team.

Olivier Panis, the Frenchman who will lose his place to Button at BAR if Jacques Villeneuve stays, has also had contact with Toyota and Sauber, as well as at least one other team. "I'm sure I will get a drive,'' Panis said.

Germany's Nick Heidfeld is expected to stay at Sauber, so the young Brazilian, Felipe Massa is evidently under pressure to keep his job. Juan Pablo Montoya has not yet signed a new contract with Williams but it is generally expected that he will eventually do so and continue alongside Ralf Schumacher.

One imminent change is due at Minardi, where the hapless Malaysian driver, Alex Yoong is likely to be "rested'' after failing to qualify for the third time this season here. It is thought that Jos Verstappen, the Dutchman contentiously dropped by Arrows, will step in.

Minardi's team principal, Paul Stoddart, is also involved in negotiations with potential investors or buyers in an attempt to secure their place in Formula One.