Yoong close to signing with a winning CART team.

Malaysia's first-ever Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong is targeting a move to CART next year.

Yoong, who failed to impress during his time with Minardi, told his personal website Alexyoong.com: "We are very close to signing with a winning CART team.

"The moment this is done we'll have to get the release from Minardi and we'll move on from there."

Currently Yoong is contracted to Minardi until the end of November, however it seems unlikely the team will take up that option. Furthermore if Yoong does decide to stay, it is thought that Paul Stoddart will only offer him a test seat.

Asked why he wouldn't want this Yoong noted: "A year's testing would do me good for sure, but I do not believe Minardi will be testing much in 2003. I feel a year's racing would be better and am looking forward to CART.

"Also the fact that there is a chance to win races instead of racing at the back is very attractive to me. The competition in CART is very intense but it's possible for me to do well there. The series have quite a number of races outside America and I'm sure it will expand further."

Yoong though is sad to be leaving F1 and paid tribute to Paul Stoddart and Minardi - the team that gave him his chance in Formula One.

Yoong commented: "I must thank Paul for giving me the opportunity in Formula 1 as well as the whole team who worked tirelessly and never gave up hope on me. I would specially mention my engineer Greg Wheeler who has stuck it out with me through the good and bad times. The crew on my car did a great job all year, so special thanks also to Bazza, Forest and Fritz.

"It was a good year with many challenges along the way. Although the results mid way through the season were not what I expected them to be, I learnt a lot as the season went on and was pleased with how the year ended. Coming back for the last three races with strong performances was satisfying and it was a just reward for those who stood by me in my first year of Formula One.

"I must pay tribute to Paul who had a difficult year with all the off-track pressure and distractions. To come through all that and for the team to finish a fantastic ninth is testimony of his astuteness and extremely hard work that he had put in all year. Without Paul, the team would not have been racing. I really hope that Minardi will be in Formula 1 next year and for the years to come."