Da Matta confident of keeping winning form

Da Matta, who fills the shoes of the departed Michael Andretti at Newman-Haas this year, started his sophomore CART season in the best possible way: he took his second career victory at the all-new Monterrey circuit last week after running at the front throughout the weekend.

The Brazilian believes the result was no flash in the pan either and feels sure the Illinois-based team, which has switched to Toyota power after nine years with Ford, has started as it means to go on.

"It is a good thing that I am racing for an experienced team," said da Matta. "They have won many races before, so I know that another race win is not going to change their attitude about their work. We are just going to keep doing the same kind of work we have been doing and I am sure the results will keep on coming naturally to us."

Da Matta's home race in Brazil, due to take place next weekend, has been cancelled due to political wranglings in Rio de Janeiro, leaving the teams with a frustrating four-week wait for round two at Long Beach. The former F3000 driver is confident that the transition to the bumpy Californian street course from the smooth, purpose-built track in Mexico will not pose too many problems.

"At Long Beach, it is a very, very bumpy circuit," said da Matta, "so the way to set up the car is going to be pretty different from Mexico. My expectations are good for Long Beach. We have been doing good off-season tests at Sebring, which is a bumpy track too, and the same kind of rough circuit as we have at Long Beach. So I would imagine that we are going to have a good car there - a good competitive car there."

Despite da Matta's confidence however, he concedes that having a good set-up is paramount, but the nature of the series - which had seven different race winners in the first seven races of last year - dictates that it is all too easy to slip down the order.

"The way the series is today," he said, "it is just so competitive. Sometimes you just get to the racetrack and you don't know if you are going to be in the top five or the top 20. To be honest, I don't think there will be a big difference in performance between the chassis available. No matter if you have Lola or Reynard, the set-up you are using is a lot more important."