CART Champion da Matta Joins Toyota

After months of speculation it has finally been announced that 2002 CART champion Cristiano da Matta has signed a two-year contract with the Toyota Formula One team. Da Matta will be joined at Toyota by Olivier Panis who is moving from BAR.

Even though it was denied several times during the season da Matta’s move had long been predicted by Toyota insiders after he tested for them earlier in the year. The fact that his current CART ride was also Toyota powered probably helped get him out of his contract with Newman-Haas Racing early as Toyota have reportedly offered the team their engines if they follow them to the IRL next year.

Posted: Tuesday, November 5th, 2002

All Change At Jaguar

Neither of Jaguar’s current drivers will be back next year. Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa will be replaced by Mark Webber and Antonio Pizzonia.

Webber has been driving for Minardi this year while Pizzonia was a test driver with Williams.

Posted: Friday, November 1st, 2002