German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen looks likely to join the Arrows Formula One team after further talks about a contract for 2002.
"We have had some more discussions but nothing has been finalised," Frentzen's manager Monte Field said today. "We talked about what it takes to put a deal together."
An Arrows spokeswoman said the British-based team had made no decision on its drivers for 2002 and there was no comment on Frentzen, a winner of three grands prix.
The Sunsaid that Frentzen was expected to sign before Christmas, with Dutchman Jos Verstappen giving way to allow the German to partner Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi. Bernoldi, a newcomer in 2001, is backed by Arrows' sponsor Red Bull.
Formula One sources said Arrows, who will have Jaguar's Cosworth engines next season, were now clear favourites to sign Frentzen, who has also been linked to Minardi but such a move was considered unlikely.
Arrows, Prost and Minardi are the only teams yet to confirm their full driver line-ups for 2002.