GOSSIP: Ralf to Toyota, da Matta back to USA?
Posted by Red Sam
From ITV-F1.com
Ralf Schumacher seemed like a very relaxed man at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and all the signs are that the German has now concluded his deal to race for Toyota next year.
According to the latest paddock rumours, Ralf will join the team on a $12m deal for two years, with Toyota having an option to renew the contract for an extra season in 2007.
There have also been suggestions that the giant car company is in the process of negotiating a new title sponsorship deal with software giant Microsoft when the current Panasonic deal comes to an end.
There has been no confirmation of any of this but it looks increasingly likely that Schumacher will team up with Olivier Panis, who is a well-established test and development driver and still a very good racer.
Ralf is also known for his good technical input although his racing in recent months has been a little patchy.
This would seem to suggest that there are not many opportunities in F1 next year for Cristiano da Matta and it is expected that the Brazilian will return to the United States next year, in either Champ Cars or thee Indy Racing League.
No doubt Da Matta will be renewing some acquaintances in the week between the Canadian and Indianapolis Formula 1 events.
RedSam
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
Ralf Schumacher seemed like a very relaxed man at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and all the signs are that the German has now concluded his deal to race for Toyota next year.
According to the latest paddock rumours, Ralf will join the team on a $12m deal for two years, with Toyota having an option to renew the contract for an extra season in 2007.
There have also been suggestions that the giant car company is in the process of negotiating a new title sponsorship deal with software giant Microsoft when the current Panasonic deal comes to an end.
There has been no confirmation of any of this but it looks increasingly likely that Schumacher will team up with Olivier Panis, who is a well-established test and development driver and still a very good racer.
Ralf is also known for his good technical input although his racing in recent months has been a little patchy.
This would seem to suggest that there are not many opportunities in F1 next year for Cristiano da Matta and it is expected that the Brazilian will return to the United States next year, in either Champ Cars or thee Indy Racing League.
No doubt Da Matta will be renewing some acquaintances in the week between the Canadian and Indianapolis Formula 1 events.
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
well I hope da matta goes back to the usa, dont like him much.
poor toyota :\
Da Matta came across very well in the ITV pre-race feature i thought, quite a genial guy.
"No it's not a skirt"
i think da matta's doing a good job, but so is panis. whos doing a bad job right now? ralf schumacher is.
da matta sed recently he wasn't comfortable in formula one, so maybe he is off back to the states
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da matta sed recently he wasn't comfortable in formula one, so maybe he is off back to the states
Nice sig Dave, and so true about Tony Stewart too!!!
RedSam
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009
Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
Dave's sig cracks me up! its funny coz its true
Microsoft sponsering Toyota? hm, I think I should talk it over with Bill because for the time being they're my sponser 
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lycos is under maintainance now so you might not be able to see teh pic..
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