Formula One news

Toyota were 'kind' to dumped da Matta - manager

30-year-old Cristiano da Matta returned to Brazil to consider his future in motor sport, the dumped Toyota driver's manager Fernando Paiva said Wednesday. He was quoted on the ITV website as supporting Toyota, who axed Da Matta and called up test driver Ricardo Zonta, 'because the team always treat us well.'

"We've been with them for ever," he explained. "It is a rough situation but even in this case they were very kind."

The loyalty to Toyota seems to suggest that Cristiano, who won the US-based Champ Car title in 2002, may wish to return with them to the Indy category. CART team Newman-Haas has also expressed interest, reports suggest.

Da Matta's manager said the charge, who admittedly has failed to shine in his second full season of Formula One, was a 'little shocked' when the axe fell. "He's going to give it a bit of time and make his call," Paiva revealed.

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