We just heard on the BBC Five (Radio) Formula 1 show, that CART driver Cristiano Da Matta has signed with Toyota to drive alongside Olivier Panis. Carl Hass has received free Toyota IRL engines as part of the package according to the report.

Indy Racing League driver Helio Castroneves completed 75 laps in a TF102 and was delighted with how it went. "I loved every single second of today's session," he said. "I did quite a few laps, doing some long runs as well as some qualifying laps."

"This was my first time in an F1 car and I was impressed by how easy the TF102 was to drive, and especially by the braking. The team were great and worked professionally and I am very happy with the overall organization of the day."

After the test, Toyota signed a CART driver instead.

 

As much as I don't like how they dumped McNish at least they signed DaMatta. Now I'll have someone else to cheer for besides Montoya and Barrichello.

 

wow are you serious?

This is definately big news!

 

I always knew that if anyone else from CART went to F1, it would be DaMatta or Castroneves. Franchitti was supposed to go and the timing was nver right...now he's in the IRL. Bye-Bye F1 career.

 

da Matta to F1, Andretti, Franchitti, etc. to IRL, who the hell is still in CART?

 

Paul Tracy, Bruno Junquiera...my picks for the championship battle next year. Kenny Brack might be looking for a drive too, since Chip is supposedly not too happy with him.

edit - this year's field can be found at: http://www.cart.com/Drivers/DriverIndex.asp

Subtract the drivers who you know are leaving.


[Modified by Ross, 10:56 PM 9/21/2002]

 

Who Cares?
CART has been in disarray for years ... and who knows if it can be salvaged at this point!

 

crap...I really like CART too. Despite is poor management, I think it is the one which should survive. Mainly because most of the races are on racetracks/road circuits.

 

Yeah....why is everyone defecting from CART?

 

There's lots of politics involved...sponsors, team owners, pressure from engine/chassis manufactors etc...kinda sucks

 

Long live American open wheel road racing!!! Long live CART!!

I'm hoping Herta gets in with Minardi.


[Modified by Ponyboy, 1:04 AM 9/24/2002]