Da Matta remains coy on Toyota move

The Brazilian, who wrapped up the Champ Car title with a win in Miami on Sunday, said that he has yet to make a decision on his plans for 2003. He has been strongly tipped for a Toyota F1 drive for months.

"I still don't have an answer," said da Matta. "Nothing is decided yet. I know there are a lot of rumours that something is decided, but it's not.

"I cannot deny I'm talking to F1. I have a deadline, and I am still waiting to see what CART is going to be next year. You know, when you have a relationship as good as the one I have with Newman-Haas, as good as I have it living here in America, everything counts.

"It's a pretty big move to change a career like this. But I know it's a pretty big opportunity on the other side, too.

An announcement has been said to be imminent ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, but according to da Matta, it is not.

"Everybody expects to hear something this coming week, but you won't," he said.