Huub Rothengatter:"we'll go to court if we have to"

Published on 15 February 2002 by Ivo Kleintjes

Jos Verstappen's manager Huub Rothengatter will file a substantial claim with the court if he has to following Jos's sacking by Arrows team owner Tom Walkinshaw three week before the first Grand Prix.

"As a result of Tom Walkinshaw's action, Verstappen has a very substantial claim against Arrows, which we will persue through the courts if necessary." according an official statement Huub Rothergatter issued to this site. Jos said "I am very frustrated by this situation and further I have nothing to add to Huub's comments."

After Jos Verstappen and the OrangeArrows team signed a legally binding contract for another season with the team everything seemed fine. Tom Walkinshaw had with Jos, as the Scotsman himself commented, "a real racer" in his team and wanted him for another year. The future was bright, especially with the technical package for 2002 which would take Arrows further forward on the grid. With a real racer and super starter like Jos it seemed logic with a capital 'L'. Jos and his management decided to re-sign. From that moment other teams knew that Jos was not able to take any offers, he had signed a watertight contract, the driver was from that moment on 'off the market'. Jos respected his obligations towards Tom Walkinshaw. If another Formula 1 team became interested in Jos all attempts would have been thwarted by Tom Walkinshaw. A contract is a legally binding agreement that should be respected by all parties, that is the opinion of Jos and his manager Huub Rothengatter.

The 2002 contract was signed and the somewhat disappointing season ended in October. Jos obtained the only World Championship point for the team by finishing 6th in Austria. Everyone was ready for a well deserved holiday to have a fresh start at the beginning of 2002. One driver was confirmed, Jos, the other seat was still available. Silly season was in full swing. The first rumours around Heinz Harald Frentzen appeared. The German, sacked by Jordan and driving for the cash strapped Prost Grand Prix in the last few races, was supposed to have contacts with Arrows. Enrique Bernoldi was not yet confirmed for 2002 and his performance was not that good, everyone thought that his position was up for grabs. Jos Verstappen did not worry; "I'll see who will be my team mate. Doesn't matter who." Meanwhile the rumours around Frentzen and Arrows grew stronger. In January Enrique Bernoldi was confirmed for 2002. For Jos and his management it meant that the team was complete. Arrows had both drivers for the new season. The rumours still remained. The whole story came into a strange light when Arrows did not mention Jos Verstappen's officially after Enrique Bernoldi had been confirmed. "That is not necessary" Huub Rothengatter commented "Jos has been confirmed last June."

The 'Frentzen ghost' was still wary. It went even scarier when Prost Grand Prix went into bankruptcy. Frentzen without a job and no seats free. Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart, who at first said he was interested in Jos Verstappen or Frentzen, did not want to wait and signed up Mark Webber next to his confirmed 'paydriver' Alex Yoong. The Australian had to do something; how long would he have had to wait for Frentzen? Stoddart too was convinced Jos Verstappen would drive for Arrows. Afterall he had signed a legally binding contract.

'A signed, legally binding contract', how often have we seen this term? What is the value of such a contract is one of the questions Huub Rothengatter would ask himself later on after the strange climax of this drivers drama which was witnessed by the whole Formula 1 community. Heinz Harald Frentzen driver for Arrows. Jos unemployed three weeks before the new season starts, although he had a signed a legally binding contract. All seats are taken. Who would have thought that a 'real racer', to repeat Walkinshaw's words, would have to experience this? We think Huub Rothengatter will right the wrongs, in other words: "He's got a case."