Rookie Cristiano da Matta today dismissed five-time world beater Michael Schumacher's claim to the title of greatest-ever Formula One driver.

The Brazilian insisted countryman Ayrton Senna should be regarded as the best ever, even though Schumacher has rewritten much of the grand prix record book.

Da Matta made the claim as he helped launch the latest Toyota in the south of France today in which he will make his debut in Australia on March 9.

"My idol was Ayrton," said da Matta. "It is difficult to say what he means to me. But he was the guy I always looked up when I was a teenager.

"Even though Schumacher is better than him on the numbers, for speed and driving ability I think Senna is the best ever."

Schumacher's total of five drivers' crowns is matched only by Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio, while the German has scored more wins, points and fastest laps than any other driver.

The only record he has still to beat is the number of poles which three-time world champion Senna established before his death at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994.