Da Matta has been dumped by Toyota

Da Matta was expected to go at the end of the season when Ralf Schumacher and, probably, Jarno Trulli join, but Toyota have opted for an early change.

Team boss Tsutomu Tomita said: "We revised our original plans after the results of the last three grands prix.

"Zonta has performed very well, and it is fair to offer him the chance to show his potential in full race conditions."

Ricardo Zonta driver profile

Zonta has experience of racing in Formula One having spent two seasons with BAR as well as two races in a Jordan in 2001 - his last grand prix outings.

He will get his first chance to show he is ready for a racing return next weekend in Hungary.

Da Matta could still be called upon to undertake activities accordingly Toyota team boss Tsutomu Tomita

Toyota have endured a difficult season and Tomita revealed that Da Matta's disappointing form meant he was axed instead of Olivier Panis.

"We decided to retain Panis as a race driver for the rest of this season, based on the fact that he is the driver who has secured the team's best race result of the year so far.

"And has collected the higher number of championship points.

"Da Matta will remain a Toyota driver until the end of 2004 and could still be called upon to undertake activities accordingly."

Da Matta is expected to return to the USA at the end of the season, where he built his reputation in Champ Cars.