da Matta and Toyota confirmed at Newman-Haas.

As has been widely expected for some time, both Cristiano da Matta and Toyota will be linking up with Newman-Haas Racing next season.

Both had been rumoured to be joining the Illinois-based team, following the departure of Michael Andretti to Team Green and the possibility that the Ford engines used in 2000 would find a home elsewhere.

da Matta will form an all-Brazilian line-up with near namesake Christian Fittipaldi, who remains with the team for a sixth season, as both look to capitalise on a campaign that produced a win apiece in 2000. da Matta's victory at Chicago Motor Speedway was his first since graduating to the CART arena as Indy Lights champion in 1999, and ignited Newman-Haas' interest in him.

The Brazilian had, at that point, only just secured an extended contract with the PPI team that signed him for his second year in the series, but Cal Wells' operation has since decided to sell his option because of financial constraints that may force PPI out of the series next year.

"It is great to join one of the most successful teams in the CART series," da Matta said at the announcement, "I'm looking forward to driving for Carl [Haas] and Paul [Newman], and having Christian as a team-mate. Newman-Haas Racing is one of the most prestigious teams in racing, and I am proud to be associated with the great drivers that have been with the team."

"Both Paul and I are excited about having Christian and Cristiano driving for us in 2001," commented Carl Haas, "Both drivers will work well together and the team will pick up where it left off with victory in the Marlboro 500. Cristiano is a talented young driver who will win many races, and we expect both our drivers to be championship contenders."

da Matta will kick off the 2001 preparations with a slight headstart over his new team-mate, having used the Toyota powerplant throughout the past two years. The deal between the Japanese firm and Newman-Haas ends a nine-year relationship that the team had with Ford, but brings with it the chance to run with one of the more successful units from 2000, when Toyota-powered cars notched five wins and seven pole positions.

Both Newman-Haas cars will again turn out in the team's familiar black colours, with continued backing from K-Mart and Texaco-Havoline. Despite rumours to the contrary, da Matta is not bringing any of the beleaguered PPI outfit's backers to his new employer.