Da Matta F1 switch 'compliments' CART

The Brazilian will become the fourth champion in eight years to switch racing codes and not defend his title. But Pook, who has previously said that he sees Champ Cars as a feeder to F1, believes this deal can only be good for his series.

"Cristiano da Matta has certainly demonstrated what it takes to win a CART championship," he said. "Our championship winner truly must be a master of many different types of tracks and Cristiano has done that from the beginning of his CART career.

"He's a tremendous champion and the fact that an F1 team has signed him demonstrates what a high regard that other racing organizations have for our series and our top drivers.

"If he can get to F1 using CART as a platform, that's a big feather in our hat."

Da Matta, who has a two-year deal with Toyota, will follow in the footsteps of Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya, who all claimed the CART title then switched to F1 the next season. Gil de Ferran won back-to-back Champ Car titles, then moved over to the rival Indy Racing League.