Team: Toyota
Nationality: Brazilian
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| | Da Matta |
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STATS
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Year
|
Rank
|
Wins
|
Poles
|
Podium
|
Best finish
|
|
2002
|
1
|
11
|
13
|
7
|
1st, seven times
|
|
Career (CART)
|
|
11
|
27
|
38
|
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2002 Recap
The Good: Took the point lead after five races and steadily pulled away in a masterful season that netted seven wins, seven pole positions and his initial CART championship.
Season Highlight: Captured four consecutive races -- Laguna Seca, Portland, Chicago, Toronto -- on three different types of tracks in a June-July blitz.
The Bad: Suffered three straight DNFs before going on a season-ending tear.
Season Lowlight: Spun out while running second at Mid-Ohio.
Key Stat: Only qualified outside the top six three times in 19 starts.
2003 Outlook
This talented 29-year-old Brazilian parlayed a good F1 test and his great season into a full-time ride with Toyota's F1 effort in 2003. Outgoing Toyota driver Mika Salo forecast a tough road for da Matta because of all the politics within the team but Cristiano appears to have the mental toughness necessary to survive in F1
Your Take
Can da Matta find success in Formula One? Or will he consistently be a backmarker? Here are your thoughts on da Matta's prospects for the 2003 season.
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