Formula 1
Toyota can win says da Matta
Christiano da Matta is confident that Toyota will be a winner in the future and that was why he joined the team. The 2002 CART champion knows challenging Michael Schumacher for victory is unlikely in his debut Formula One season but after driving ...
Edited: Jan 14, 2003, 2:00 AM
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Christiano da Matta is confident that Toyota will be a winner in the future and that was why he joined the team. The 2002 CART champion knows challenging Michael Schumacher for victory is unlikely in his debut Formula One season but after driving the car in winter testing, da Matta is sure progress will be made.
Cristiano da Matta.
Photo by Toyota Racing.
"I'm looking forward to the season and after driving the car I am confident we will do better than last season," he told the British press. "I came to Toyota because they can win. Some teams in F1 will never win. Toyota have a very bright future. They have all the resources and are very serious about winning Formula 1. I know I'm not going to win in my first year. That is very unlikely but I think Toyota will win and that is the reason why I joined the team."
The Brazilian thinks the level of fitness he gained driving in the CART series will be an advantage, as Champ cars are heavier and not as easy to drive as F1 cars: "My fitness is good for Formula 1 because I think you have to be fitter in CART racing," he said. "In CART you use your shoulders, chest and arms a lot more because the car is 200 kilos heavier and you don't have power steering. F1 is a lot tougher on the neck because of the extra G-force but aerobically CART is harder."
Despite testing in the last couple of months, the Brazilian still has a lot of work to do behind the wheel before he takes to the track competitively in Melbourne for the first Grand Prix in March. Gaining familiarity with the circuits is secondary to being comfortable in the Toyota for da Matta.
"I have until March to get used to the car and until then I will be testing with the team every week," he commented. "I don't think it will be too difficult to get to know the tracks. The main thing is getting used to the car."
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