Massa Move to Toyota Less Likely, Says Manager

Brazilian Felipe Massa's hopes of securing a drive with Toyota have taken a blow after countryman Cristiano da Matta moved back into the frame to partner Frenchman Olivier Panis next year.

Da Matta said on Thursday his hopes of securing the seat with the Grand Prix newcomers had dimmed and claimed he was now only 20 percent likely to seal a deal.

The Champ Car star's team, Newman-Haas, had asked for significant payment to release him from his contract but Massa's manager, Ricardo Tedeschi, has been in top-level negotiations with the Japanese bosses of the Germany-based team, said that things took a change on Saturday.

"In the middle of last week we were on the top of their list," he said. "Now things have changed."

It is understood an engine supply deal for the team's Indy Racing League team, which will makes its series debut next year, was discussed between the two parties as a contra-deal for da Matta's services.

Massa was dropped by Sauber after a season which has seen him combine some impressive pace with some rookie mistakes, but he has been offered a test driver role with the team next year.

Tedeschi said that there is no time pressure on Massa to sign the Sauber test contract, but added that the young Brazilian would prefer to race next season and will not sign a deal without promise of a future race seat.