“I have a good feeling that it is going to go very well,” said da Matta after concluding his first test for the team at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona yesterday.

“I have already been successful in racing, I have won many championships in my life and I come here to try and win another one.

“If it does not work, what can I do. All I can do is give my best of everything and if it does not work, or I am not good enough, then I can go back home and ride my bike or maybe find another series to race.”

Da Matta’s aim is to be as successful as Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya, who both switched effortlessly into F1 after winning the CART title, rather than Alex Zanardi, who was ditched after a miserable season.

Villeneuve won the CART (formerly Champ Car) title in 1995 and within two years was World Champion in F1, while Montoya won a race in his maiden season last year and could become Michael Schumacher’s biggest threat if Williams produce a decent car.

But their experience contrasts widely with Zanardi, who won back-to-back titles in CART before trying his luck in F1 again, then after a pointless season with Williams in 1999 was replaced by Jenson Button.

The 29-year-old da Matta’s maiden test ended without incident, though it proved he will need many more miles in the Toyota before he can expect to match the pace of experienced team-mate Olivier Panis.

But da Matta’s fellow rookie and countryman Antonio Pizzonia perhaps needs more time in a Jaguar road car – let along the F1 model.

The 23-year-old and his three passengers were fortunate to escape unhurt after a 155mph crash which left the £45,000 S Type R Sports saloon a wreck.

Pizzonia was carrying out promotional work after the official test had ended when he lost control at the first corner and somersaulted into a tyre barrier.

“It was certainly not a small shunt,” said team spokesman Nav Sidhu.

“But thankfully everyone is unhurt. The car is a write-off but we make lots of those so I am sure we are not going to miss it.”