The Arrows team have admitted that they want Heinz-Harald Frentzen rather than Jos Verstappen in their driver line-up this season.

Verstappen is under contract but Arrows said on Friday that they are in talks with Frentzen to partner Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who has been confirmed as one of the team's drivers.

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw announced in the course of last season that he had taken up their option on Verstappen - but the Dutchman will be dropped if they secure Frentzen.

An Arrows spokeswoman said: "Jos was confirmed a long time ago but there is no secret to the fact that Tom has been talking to Heinz-Harald.

According to some reports, Frentzen has already signed an Arrows contract, but the team denies this.

It is possible that Arrows are waiting for Frentzen to resolve his contractual dispute with rival team owner Eddie Jordan so they can be sure the German will be free to concentrate on the season ahead.

Frentzen has taken Jordan to court for damages after being sacked after the British Grand Prix in July last year.

That would put the pressure on Frentzen to resolve his dispute quickly - the season starts on 3 March in Australia.

Arrows announced in a statement on Friday that Bernoldi would stay on in 2002 - but the release made no mention of Verstappen or Frentzen.