Da Matta depressed by state of CART

New Toyota Formula 1 driver Da Matta believes that the rival Indy Racing League does not provide such a challenge for drivers because of its oval-only nature, and fears that CART could end up with only a few good teams and drivers.

"I am very sad about the way Champ Cars is going," da Matta told Reuters. "The only real motorsport there is in America today is Champ Cars. IRL is a good series and is getting better in everything but it is only ovals.

"CART is such a good series because the equipment is so similar and teams are [at a] very high level. Now many teams and the drivers are leaving so I think the series will go back in time a bit to what it was like in the late 1980's and early 1990's where there were a few good drivers and teams."

However, the Brazilian did speak out in support of CART president Chris Pook, saying: "I have a lot of confidence in the CART president, I think he has done a very good job this year from what was put in his hands. He has already improved it a lot. Next year is definitely a crucial year for the series but I just hope for the best because it is such a better series than anything else in the United States."