Da Matta hoping to shine on home ground

The Brazilian, who is the reigning CART World Series champion, spun out on his debut in Melbourne and was hampered by fuel problems in Malaysia and finished 11th, but hopes that he can be more competitive in his home grand prix on a track he knows well.

"In 1999 and 2000 we had a CART race in Brazil, and it's always a special feeling to race in front of your home fans," said da Matta. "This time will probably be even more special because it will be my first F1 race there. It will be the first time this season that I can race on a track I already know and I will do my best to take full advantage of it.

"I really don't want to set any expectations for the race, but I will do my best for the whole team, the Brazilian fans and of course my family."

Toyota's team principal Ove Andersson believes that the team has solved the fuel pressure issues that has stopped it converting pre-season testing promise into hard results. "I believe we have shown great potential in the first two races of the season in Australia and Malaysia and I think we can still be carefully confident to pick up championship points in Brazil," he said.

"We should be sure now that the fuel pressure problem that has hindered us so far has been detected and properly counter-measured. This will be the first track that Cristiano has prior knowledge of and it will be his home grand prix, so I am looking forward to a strong performance from him in front of his home fans."