Tracy confirms Forsythe deal for 2003

Tracy will join current drivers Patrick Carpentier and Alex Tagliani to form an all-Canadian 'superteam' in a deal that ensures the 32-year-old will remain in Champ Cars rather than swap to the rival Indy Racing League.

The move was triggered by Team Green's decision to switch to the IRL for next year under the new ownership of Tracy's team-mate Michael Andretti.

"I wanted to stay [with Green] because the team works well, but my feeling after the announcement was that maybe it was time for a change," he said.

"CART is where I have made my living. Early in my career I had a chance to go to Formula 1, but I turned it down to stay in CART."

Team boss Jerry Forsythe has not completed sponsorship negotiations and has not yet announced the addition of Tracy to his line-up. Main backer Player's wanted an all-Canadian line-up for what will be the tobacco company's final year in motorsport. Formula 1 star Jacques Villeneuve was also targeted to make a return to the series he conquered in 1995.

For the full interview with Tracy, see this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale from today (Thursday).