Da Matta Refuses to Make Predictions

Brazilian Cristiano da Matta has refused to make any predictions ahead of the 2003 season following his switch from the CART championship.

Da Matta will make his Grand Prix debut with Toyota next March after winning the CART title last year, but after struggling to match the pace of his teammate Olivier Panis during winter testing, the Brazilian says he will wait until the first races of the year before setting his targets.

"I achieved one dream by winning the CART championship in 2002," said the Brazilian. "Now I have the fresh challenge of Formula One. I don't want to make any predictions just yet, but driving in F1 is fantastic and, while F1 cars are similar to what I'm used to in the slow-speed corners, they are much faster in the quick corners."

Toyota scored two points in their debut season last year, and the Cologne-based squad said they have set higher but realistic goals for 2003.

Da Matta will get back to work tomorrow at the Paul Ricard circuit, driving the hybrid TF102B chassis while Panis will test the next TF103 which was unveiled today.