Cart champion Cristiano da Matta has signed a two-year contract to drive for Formula One team Toyota.

The Brazilian will partner Frenchman Olivier Panis after a successful period driving for the Newman-Haas team in America.

"I have accomplished one of my goals by winning the Cart driver's championship title," Da Matta said.

"I am very thankful to Carl Haas, Paul Newman and all of Newman-Haas Racing for the support, hard work and accomplishments that we have achieved together.

"Now I am ready for the next challenge.

"It is great to be able to join Panasonic Toyota Racing and more importantly to further develop my already successful partnership with Toyota.

"To be able to combine this with driving in F1 - the top motorsport series in the world - is very special to me and I look forward to the exciting and demanding challenges that lie ahead.

"Though I enjoyed driving the Toyota Formula One car in May this year, I cannot wait to test the more-evolved TF102B car as a F1 driver later this month."

BBC Sport Online revealed last week that Da Matta's deal to join Toyota had been completed, and was just awaiting official confirmation.

The move leaves Minardi and Jordan as the only teams with seats open in 2003.

Jordan have Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato under contract, although there is speculation that either Eddie Irvine or British rising star Anthony Davidson could displace the Japanese.