da Matta's future in F1???

Mr V · 9 Jun 2003, 19:42 (Ref:626328)

Am i reading to much into this quote? It's from a Q & A in this weeks Autosport mag......

Quote:

Question....

You must be happy, though, that you didn't damage the car and that you bought it home?

Answer....

Yes, I just brushed a wall slightly at Tabac corner.I'm pleased that i've done a race distance.I'm sure that if i were to come back next year, i have another two-tenths in me just by going round and round

Have Toyota told CDM that he might not be back next season?

NiceGuyEddie · 9 Jun 2003, 20:14 (Ref:626385)

I dunno.

I find him mildly impressive. He had somewhat rough beginning from the season, but he's had some strong performances, mainly Spain and Monaco. If he puts in more of those, he has a clean and clear shot at contract renewal. But than again, Toyota has been somewhat remarkable in their driver-policy.

Logrence · 9 Jun 2003, 20:19 (Ref:626392)

He makes it sound more like he's weighing up his options...

Jay · 9 Jun 2003, 20:22 (Ref:626398)

Consider that he's only given 1 hour to learn each of the new tracks, and he seems pretty impressive actually... He's definately at a huge disadvantage to some of the other rookies that etiher already know the circuits or are participating in the 2 hours of testing. Despite all this, he's just about always been right on Panis' tail or even ahead of him at times.

You'd think rehiring him would be no-brainer...then again, it is Toyota.

**Adam43** · 9 Jun 2003, 21:04 (Ref:626458)

I read that and thought the same, but I reckon he is safe (and should be). He is a top driver and deserves to be in F1.

Raven · 9 Jun 2003, 22:09 (Ref:626533)

I think it's still up in the air whether he'll be back. I don't think Panis will be retained anymore.

Silly season is going to be interesting this year. We've got Coulthard, Villeneuve, Trulli, Fisichella and Heidfeld all looking for new contracts for 2004.

**Adam43** · 9 Jun 2003, 22:10 (Ref:626534)

There are a lot that of potential changes, but I think that it'll settle down and not much will happen.

Jalt · 9 Jun 2003, 22:33 (Ref:626559)

I think da Matta said it coz he's humble.... don't want anyone to think that he thinks he's definitely in next year.

Cool stuff... there's so much ego in F1 that it'd be kinda monotonous if da matta was like that too.

f1manoz · 9 Jun 2003, 23:37 (Ref:626595)

da Matta is a good cookie. He's been impressive at nearly every track he's been too. That quote is just saying 'I'm confident I'll be here but it's not only in my hands.'

Apexx · 10 Jun 2003, 00:15 (Ref:626613)

CDM is a very effective driver who is absolutely committed to wining a world drivers title. He is young enough to spend a few more season in pursuit of his lifelong dream. He is also very slight in stature which given the right race engineer is a measurable advantage.

But...like Junky (Bruno Junq...a), he is in need of the full confidence and motivation of his team. Given Toyotas propensity to sack good people, I can’t see his performances for the remainder of this season being that remarkable.

Does he have a wife/girlfriend/mate?

racefanatic · 10 Jun 2003, 01:14 (Ref:626642)

Cristiano is an excellent driver and I really hope he'll be back. I expect him to improve even more and toward the end of the season he'll fit right in.

I think he is willing to do anything he can to help the team, and it seems like he has high expectations for Toyota too. He said before he left CART that he didn't want to go to F1 just to battle for tenth place. I think Toyota want to improve for him too, and they ARE a new team. They could be one of the top teams in a few years!

He's single by the way.

Jay · 10 Jun 2003, 02:01 (Ref:626650)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jalt
I think da Matta said it coz he's humble.... don't want anyone to think that he thinks he's definitely in next year.

Good point, he is a humble one indeed.

Wrex · 10 Jun 2003, 02:07 (Ref:626654)

Hate to go against the majority here but IMO it was a mistake to hire him in the first place, and would be a mistake to keep him.

My opinion however is more Toyota related than DeMatta. He may well be a good driver, but apart from Spain (brilliant performance) I have'nt really seen it in F1.

He is with the wrong team. Montoya struggled entering F1 with Williams, one of the best in the business. Toyota, at such a young age need developement drivers. Not drivers learning the business themselves. We have the blind leading the blind here.

I think if he'd joined a more established team his career would be heading in a great direction. But alas, wrong driver, wrong team, and wrong time for a rookie to be entering F1.

Jalt · 10 Jun 2003, 02:25 (Ref:626656)

Quote:

Originally posted by Wrex
Toyota, at such a young age need developement drivers. Not drivers learning the business themselves. We have the blind leading the blind here.

I suppose Toyota did hire Panis...thinking he'd be the development driver they were looking for. But we all know where that seems to be heading!!

They should have learnt from Jag (Irvine) and BAR (JV)...

Personally I think da Matta's excellent. He's a quick learner and Toyota's lucky that they have him

corkholio · 10 Jun 2003, 02:50 (Ref:626664)

There were threads over at Atlasf1 bb about da Matta lying about his contract status last year. You can go look there yourself.

I believe Toyota holds the option on da Matta for next year. The only way da Matta will ever step in a F1 car next year is if Toyota picks up his option. My guess is they will probably promote Ryan Briscoe after a strong season of EuroF3 and they would be stupid to pair him with an inexperienced driver like da Matta, who doesn't have much time left in F1 anyway given his age. Not especially when after this season there will be drivers out there with much more experience and twice the talent.

mac · 10 Jun 2003, 10:27 (Ref:626929)

If da Matta doesn't get a second year in 2004, I will snap - especially after Zanardi's terrible treatment in '99.

Surely Toyota couldn't sack another 2 drivers only 12 months after sacking their previous two.

BSchneiderFan · 10 Jun 2003, 13:06 (Ref:627071)

Da Matta will be at Toyota in 2004, I'm fairly confident. Even Toyota aren't that stupid. Panis, despite having a two-year contract, may walk. Which is a shame. I'd love to see him win Toyota's first race. Monaco 2004, perhaps? Or do I mean 2040..?

paul-collins · 10 Jun 2003, 13:19 (Ref:627082)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay
Consider that he's only given 1 hour to learn each of the new tracks, and he seems pretty impressive actually... He's definately at a huge disadvantage to some of the other rookies that etiher already know the circuits or are participating in the 2 hours of testing.

So, how should he look at Montreal, then?

BootsOntheSide · 10 Jun 2003, 13:20 (Ref:627085)

Quote:

Originally posted by Logrence
He makes it sound more like he's weighing up his options...

He's probably playing the PR game. He knows that he may not get to stay on, but wants it to appear as if he'd consdier a return to CART or a move to the IRL.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay
Consider that he's only given 1 hour to learn each of the new tracks, and he seems pretty impressive actually... He's definately at a huge disadvantage to some of the other rookies that etiher already know the circuits or are participating in the 2 hours of testing. Despite all this, he's just about always been right on Panis' tail or even ahead of him at times.

You'd think rehiring him would be no-brainer...then again, it is Toyota.

Completely right, I'd say he's been highly impressive considering his disadvantage. I knew he'd do well, but at times he's exceeded by expectations. Toyota are probably the only team who would consider sacking him.

**Bononi** · 10 Jun 2003, 13:46 (Ref:627107)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v
Yes, I just brushed a wall slightly at Tabac corner.I'm pleased that i've done a race distance.I'm sure that if i were to come back next year, i have another two-tenths in me just by going round and round

That's perfectly his style, very mineiro. It's very usual to say like this from where he came from. He only not added "God's will" that is always used, but would sound strange in others places. You never say that you will do something in the future, but if it's God's will I will do it...

Jay · 10 Jun 2003, 14:36 (Ref:627158)

Quote:

Originally posted by paul-collins
So, how should he look at Montreal, then?

Well..he's never driven an F1 car their either, but and F1 car is basically a lighter, more nimble, easier to drive (according to Da Matta) version of a Champcar...so my guess is he'll be on it pretty quickly.

Keep in mind, the one track that they've visited this year, where Da Matta had prior experience was Spain...worked pretty well.

racefanatic · 10 Jun 2003, 23:13 (Ref:627674)

I expect him to do pretty well at Montreal. He was second when CART raced there last year.

Apexx · 10 Jun 2003, 23:20 (Ref:627680)

racefanatic, you have a very interesting point! I had forgotten this fact. He may be in a position to suprise a few people.

Jay · 11 Jun 2003, 01:27 (Ref:627743)

Don't think we should get our hopes up too much though...remember what car he's driving.

Knowlesy · 12 Jun 2003, 11:39 (Ref:629320)

There's no point having a development driver such as Panis, if the car doesn't last long enough to develop!

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