Da Matta still holds torch for F1

The former Champ Car ace is currently at home in Brazil considering his options and, at his suggestion, is saying nothing to the media about his departure from the team.

"At the end of the day we said we would rather not speak about it," Da Matta's manager, Fernando Paiva told Autosport. "We've been with Toyota forever and they've always treated us very well. Actually, given the roughness of the situation at hand, they were very kind with the negotiations and open to a number of options."

Da Matta won the Champ Car title in 2002 with the Toyota-powered Newman-Haas team and Paiva says the Brazilian has no intention of criticising the Japanese marque.

"We have no reason to upset Toyota," he said. "Looking at the bigger picture, they've always been a loyal and good partner. In Brazil there's an expression, 'You don't spit on the plate where you just ate'."

It was reported in the press that Da Matta had become disillusioned with F1 this year and wanted to return to America. Paiva insists that the Brazilian has yet to make a decision on his future direction though be it F1 one of the American series.

"Do we know what he's doing right now? No, we don't. For the moment he is a little shocked with what happened and he doesn't want to make a decision in a hurry. He wants to give it a bit of time and make his call."