Brazilian aces get Toyota tests
Toyota is to give American-based racing stars Cristiano da Matta and Helio Castroneves their first taste of a grand prix car in a series of tests this year, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine
Japanese CART pilot Tora Takagi, a former Tyrrell and Arrows F1 racer, will also join the Brazilian duo in trying the team's TF102 chassis.
Da Matta, the pre-season favourite for the CART title and a race winner already this year, said he was looking forward to his first test in an F1 car, which is scheduled for Paul Ricard later this month.
"It's a chance to try an F1 car and see what it's all about," said da Matta. "I really enjoy racing Champ Cars, but with the state of open-wheel racing in America, I've got to keep my options open."
Castroneves, who races in the Indy Racing League with Team Penske and won last year's Indianapolis 500, is due to get his chance later in the year. Penske are switching to Toyota power in the IRL at the end of the season.
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