SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

No F1 for Castroneves in 2003

Helio Castroneves tested for Toyota recently in Europe but he told THE INIDIANAPOLIS STAR that it was made clear to him that he was not in the running for a drive in 2003.

"They didn't tell me," Castroneves said, "but I'm no dummy."

Castroneves has not raced on a road course all year as he has spent this year in the Indy Racing League, but his run at Paul Ricard impressed the Toyota test team.

"It was like riding a bicycle," he said. "You don't forget."

Castroneves said he was surprised that it was not hard to drive an F1 car but says that he is planning to stay with the Penske team next year in IRL to try to win the title he was beaten to this year by Sam Hornish Jr. - and to go for a third consecutive Indianapolis 500.