Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Cristiano da Matta, born on 19 September 1973 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was destined for a career in motorsports, following in the footsteps of his father, Toninho da Matta, a 14-time Brazilian touring car champion. Cristiano’s journey in racing began at the age of 16 with karting, where he quickly made a name for himself by winning numerous championships. His early career saw him clinching the Brazilian Formula Ford championship in 1993 and the Brazilian Formula 3 championship in 1994, competing against notable drivers like Hélio Castroneves and Ricardo Zonta. In 1995, he participated in the British Formula 3 series, winning a race and finishing eighth overall. His success continued in the following year’s Formula 3000 championship, where he achieved a best finish of fourth at Pau.
Major Successes and Highlights
Da Matta’s move to the United States in 1997 marked a significant turn in his career. He joined the Indy Lights racing series and won the Rookie of the Year title, followed by the championship in 1998 with seven race wins. In 1999, he entered the CART series with Team Arciero Wells, driving a Toyota-powered car. His first win came in 2000, and he joined the Newman/Haas Racing team in 2001. His most notable achievement was winning the CART drivers’ championship in 2002, dominating the year with seven race wins and seven poles. Da Matta then transitioned to Formula One in 2003 with the Toyota team, scoring 10 championship points in his debut year and leading the 2003 British Grand Prix for seventeen laps. However, his F1 stint was short-lived, and he returned to the Champ Car World Series in 2005, winning the race at Portland and finishing 11th overall in the standings.
Life and Legacy After Racing
Cristiano da Matta’s racing career took an unexpected turn in 2006 when he was involved in a collision with a deer during Champ Car testing, leading to a serious injury and a prolonged recovery period. After making a remarkable recovery, he tested a Riley Daytona Prototype in 2008 and participated in the Rolex Sports Car Series. Da Matta also competed in the Brazilian Championship Formula Truck and the American Le Mans Series. His post-racing career has seen him involved in the financial and logistical side of the family Da Matta Design clothing business. Da Matta’s legacy in motorsports is not only marked by his achievements on the track but also by his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Panasonic Toyota Racing | Toyota TF103 | Toyota RVX-03 3.0 V10 | 13th | 10 |
| 2004 | Panasonic Toyota Racing | Toyota TF104 | Toyota RVX-04 3.0 V10 | 17th | 3 |