Former F1 winner reveals JOKE that ruined his chances of joining McLaren
Former F1 winner reveals JOKE that ruined his chances of joining McLaren
Former F1 race winner Heinz-Harald Frentzen recently shared with the world a joke that offended Ron Dennis so much that the McLaren boss refused to speak to the German ever again, ruining his chances of joining the team in the future.
Chosen as a direct replacement for world champion Damon Hill at Williams for 1997, Frentzen had a high reputation during his career as an F1 driver.
The now 56-year-old competed evenly alongside Michael Schumacher in his junior career before scoring Sauber’s first ever F1 podium. His crowning highlight was for Jordan where, in 1999, his two victories almost led the Irish team to glory and the title.
READ MORE: Brundle reveals stunning one-sided Hamilton RESULT over Verstappen
Don't annoy Ron Dennis
Speaking to Tom Clarkson on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Frentzen stated that he had more than one opportunity to leave Sauber in 1994 and join bigger teams. The German ex-driver explained on the show that he had a chance to join Williams following the death of Ayrton Senna.
Frentzen also shared the tale of when he was contacted by McLaren boss Ron Dennis after a good run of results to end his rookie season.
“You know why I never got a chance at McLaren? In 1994 in Adelaide, my manager came to me. It was a celebration, Sunday race, all the Formula 1 teams were celebrating the end of the season. And then I had a call, Ron Dennis wanted to see me.”
“In those days, I was a person who made a lot of fun. I come from Monchengladbach and these guys from [there] are always doing jokes and think they have a lot of sense of humour.”
“So, Ron Dennis came to me and said, ‘Hey Heinz, how is your English?’, and he said, ‘there might be some improvement in your English’. And then I said for fun, ‘and how is your German?’, because we knew that Mercedes was coming to McLaren [as an engine supplier]. ‘You have to learn German as well’, I said to Ron Dennis.”
“He had a stone face. I was thinking I was funny, and my manager just pushed my arm like 'what the f*** did you say that for?'. And I saw the face of Ron Dennis, and he never ever spoke again with me. He was so upset that I made this joke. Unbelievable, and that’s why I never really had a chance at McLaren, because Ron Dennis for some reason didn’t like my sense of humour.”
While Frentzen did get his chance to race for Williams for two years in the mid-90’s, his misjudged exchange with Dennis meant that during his time in F1 he never competed with another British team.
READ MORE: McLaren aim CHEEKY dig at Verstappen fans ahead of Dutch Grand Prix
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- 2 minutes ago
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- 1 hour ago
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- 2 hours ago
F1 champion reveals £100 MILLION contract to keep racing
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Newey 'property hunt' reveals Red Bull exit clues as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 3 hours ago
Sky Sports F1 pundit calls for RADICAL change with impressive argument
- Today 16:57
- 1
Related news
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
F1 star reveals how Verstappen and Hamilton rivalry influenced key decision
Norris reveals CRUCIAL save that kept him at McLaren
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860