Da Matta to test for Toyota

Super Tourer · 2 May 2002, 10:36 (Ref:276283)

Champ Car racer Cristiano da Matta is to test for the Toyota F1 team at Paul Ricard later this month.

Da Matta current races for the Newman Hass Cart team which is powered by Toyota engines, hence the link

“It's a chance to try an F1 car and see what it's all about,” said da Matta. “I really enjoy racing ChampCars, but with the state of open-wheel racing in America, I've got to keep my options open.”

Be interesting to see how he goes.

info from F1Live.

f1manoz · 2 May 2002, 11:13 (Ref:276307)

Alright. Great news. Hope he can set at least a competitive time. (I am a Cristiano supporter!)

But I don't think it will lead to a full-time ride.......yet.

Valve Bounce · 2 May 2002, 11:51 (Ref:276334)

Have you considered repeating the title of this thread ten times, real fast? It sounds like a Harley.

Valve[img]http://www.**************************/smilies/bouncy.gif[/img]

Sato san · 2 May 2002, 13:43 (Ref:276426)

great post valve ! lol

Muzza · 2 May 2002, 16:41 (Ref:276525)

Folks,

The Brazilian news website UOL adds that Helio Castroneves is also to test the Toyota F-1 car in the second half of 2002.

Muzza

neilap · 2 May 2002, 16:52 (Ref:276534)

Nooo say its not so! Oh well he did say he wanted to be in F1. The IRL is a joke. Neither of Penske's drivers really like ovals only racing.

Jordi · 2 May 2002, 17:22 (Ref:276551)

Would Helio be allowed to climb fences in F1?

sure hope he would be!

**Bononi** · 2 May 2002, 17:38 (Ref:276566)

??????

Welcome Jordi !

Can you please clarify your post ?

paulzinho · 2 May 2002, 18:39 (Ref:276629)

Bon, please tell me that you know about Spiderman aka Helio Castroneves?!!!

botsquad · 2 May 2002, 18:40 (Ref:276630)

Quote:

Originally posted by neilap
Oh well he did say he wanted to be in F1. The IRL is a joke.

1 imagine...a driver who would like to be in F1.....amazing.

2 the irl may a joke of sort...but...at least they have races....and not bi-weekly tgf parades.

Speedworx · 2 May 2002, 18:51 (Ref:276639)

Interesting.

Speed · 2 May 2002, 19:11 (Ref:276669)

Helio rules !

Dachau · 2 May 2002, 20:39 (Ref:276788)

Also mentioned somehwere I read on site was Scott Dixon and get this....Tora Takagi to be in the running for McNish's seat next year!
Oh please......no more Tora!!!!

Mantis13 · 2 May 2002, 20:56 (Ref:276804)

I can understand Scott Dixon getting a shot, he has the potential to actually do something in F1. But the Tiger. How is he any better then the two currently driving the Toyota's?

mac · 2 May 2002, 23:27 (Ref:276925)

I actually thought about DaMatta and Dixon, when I was trying to pick who might be in a Toyota seat next year.

Valve Bounce · 3 May 2002, 01:10 (Ref:276984)

I defy anyone to repeat : TORA TAKAGI TO TEST FOR TOYOTA ten times.

Valve[img]http://www.**************************/smilies/bouncy.gif[/img]

calais · 3 May 2002, 04:48 (Ref:277043)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi
??????

Welcome Jordi !

Can you please clarify your post ?

bononi, i think jordi was refering to the fact that every time castoNERVOUS

wins in CART or IRL, he climbes the wire fence that seperates the track from the spectators

paulzinho · 4 May 2002, 09:45 (Ref:278252)

I wouldn't mind seeing Dixon, Helio and Da Matta fighting it out for the Toyota seat(s) next year.

Is Salo a definite then? Dixon has got great potential and I think Helio would be suited to F1. And Da Matta is a great driver.

Mania · 4 May 2002, 17:22 (Ref:278475)

Personally, Id go for Junqueira. He's younger and in my book is likely to make the grade. Im interested to see how De Matta does and how his lap times compare with the others.

That said, even if Helio and De Matta close their eyes while lapping around the circuit - they're still likely to be lapping over a second quicker than Takagi.

f1manoz · 8 May 2002, 12:58 (Ref:280281)

I picked up this bit up from my.yahoo.com Newsdesk:

Quote:

Cristiano da Matta intends to make the most of an unexpected opportunity to test with the Toyota Formula One team - despite having no immediate intention to forsake the CART series.

The Brazilian, along with fellow countryman Helio Castroneves, has been offered the chance to run with Toyota in a forthcoming test at Paul Ricard, and sees the outing as a chance to impress future employers. Although he is happy to stay stateside at present, the early-season CART points leader knows that nothing is certain in motorsport.

"This is my fourth season of working with Toyota, and we have a very good relationship," he said, "I am thankful that they are giving me the opportunity to test their F1 car and I am also thankful that Newman-Haas Racing is allowing me to accomplish one of my goals.

"I've driven almost every kind of open-wheel race car, and testing an F1 car is a great opportunity for me. There is a break in the [CART] schedule this month and we are only running two tests, so the timing is good. I'm looking forward to the experience."

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