Eddie Jordan said yesterday that German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen would continue to drive for the Jordan team in 2000 after exercising an option to retain the 32-year-old French Grand Prix winner.

Frentzen drove his Jordan-Mugen Honda to the team's first win of the season - and only their second ever - last month at Magny Cours.

"Heinz-Harald has been the revelation of the year. We are delighted that he will be staying with us next year and look forward to even greater success," said Eddie Jordan in a statement.

Frentzen, whose other win came San Marino with Williams, triumphed after shrugging off a leg injury sustained in Canada a fortnight earlier which had threatened to keep him out of the French race.

"I am delighted that Jordan has taken up its option on my services for the year 2000," said Frentzen, currently fourth in the drivers' championship standings. "Together we have shown that we are a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to continuing the challenge for greater results in the year 2000."

Frentzen's three appearances on the podium this season have put Jordan Mugen-Honda into third place in the constructors' standings.

Michael Schumacher was also in the spotlight yesterday after Jordan said he could be losing the "edge" he enjoys over his Formula One rivals. His former boss Jordan reckons Schumacher, widely regarded as the greatest driver of his generation, might have lost some of the competitive urge now that the two-time champion is also a father of two.

The Jordan team chief says that would explain why Eddie Irvine, another of his ex-drivers, is much closer to his illustrious Ferrari team-mate this season.

"I am not sure whether Eddie has caught up with Michael or whether Michael has fallen a little bit into the field," said Jordan, who gave the German his grand prix debut in 1991 only to see him leave after one race.

The 30-year-old German is just six points ahead of Irvine in the championship standings going into Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the midway point of the campaign. Schumacher was also out-qualified by the Ulsterman - in Spain - for only the fourth time in their three-and-a-half season spell as team-mates.

Jordan has been linked with resigning Irvine to replace Damon Hill next year, although he has advised his former driver to stay with the Italian team.