Who will partner Panis at Toyota?

[nichosnz 0]

Of course there is it is the FIA, nothing is simple.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

More a case of nothing is allowed to be simple, so Bernie can make more money by making teams pay him to explain rules!

[nichosnz 0]

Hahahahahaha!!!!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Bringing the thread back to life on subject, da Matta is now reported to have signed and sealed a deal with Toyota for next season according to several sources from Brazil and France, something leaking out in Germany as well. The deal is supposedly going to be publicized at the USGP this weekend.

[nichosnz 0]

Earlier this week da Matta siad the move was 50/50, a clue, since he earlier stated it was impossible.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Da Matta and Ove Anderson met up at the CART race at Rockingham a week ago, and the reports are getting more and more frequent. The fact that a Cologne newspaper in Germany was quite sure that the deal was done really makes it seem believable.

[nichosnz 0]

If he comes I hope he more does a Villeneuve/Montoya rather than a Zanardi. Is it coincidence Villeneuve and Montoya each won 1 CART title, and Zanadri won 2.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Hehe well I dont think we can ever tell, but I sure do hope he does a Villeneuve and wins the championship in 2004 Though I hold Zanardi as an excellent driver his 1999 season was pathetic. Seems to me that he didn't make it into 2000 because his contract wasnt Y2K compatible

btw. not my joke originally

[nichosnz 0]

Zanardi was an excellent driver, pity about 1999 and 2001 though. 1999 practally ended his career, 2001 did.

[daz 0]

Yeah Zanardi was great in America. Unfortunately his talent didn't really show its true potential in F1. I don't think he could get to grips with the extra technology in F1 and that really hurt him.

Anyway I think that De Matta can really make a sucess of it in F1. He has got the credentials and I think Toyota could be a great starting point as they are really hungry for some success...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I think grooved tyres and the fact that F1 cars are so precise hurt Zanardi's chances. Da Matta doesn't have the same disadvantage because CART has moved in the direction of F1 lately.

[nichosnz 0]

And he is (going bak to my previous arguement) only a 1 time CART champion (well will be).

But seriously, he did well in the test for Toyota earlier in the year, Zanardi never looked good, but kept saying "I will get it". Jens I think also what you mention about the movement of CART will help, as you do.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Since Honda entered F1 a lot of their engine knowledge from F1 has gone over to help their CART efforts, while chassis are starting to be developed the same way.

[nichosnz 0]

Sound like a case of "If you can't beat em, join em"

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

There probably isn't more advanced technology anywhere in the world, except maybe somewhere at NASA or something. So definitely, its a case of cant beat em join em

[nichosnz 0]

We don't have an F1 race on Mars... YET... No doubt Bernie is looking into it though.

[daz 0]

Wouldn't put it past him.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Wouldnt be too amazed. Once they start building stuff on the moon no doubt will Bernie or his successor Bernie Jr. look into getting a track up there!

[nichosnz 0]

Then F1 would be the most technologicaly advanced organisation on the planet, oops no in the human realm.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It would be an amazing race though. Imagine what would happen if (making all this up of course ) the machine that produced the gravity inside the big bubble that the track built in broke and the cars floated off, !

It would be a nice backdrop though, to see a space instead of the blue sky. Also the tree huggers couldnt exactly complain, theyre not polluting anything!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Back to the topic, da Matta is pretty much wrapped up and sealed for Toyota now, the announcement will come at Indy or Suzuka.

[nichosnz 0]

I'm not suprised that da Matta is going to get it.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

No shocker for sure, Im not sure but I think I saw da Matta in the Toyota garage during the extensive three hours of live coverage we got from Indy today.

[nichosnz 0]

That is hardly confirmation, but it is a good sign.

[nichosnz 0]

Well guys it has finally been announced, Panis's team-mate at Toyota will indeed be Cristiano da Matta. Not really a suprise but a long time coming.