Monteiro crucial to MF1's development program

Last week Tiago Monteiro was once again working hard on the MidlandF1 team’s 2006 program as he and they prepared for the upcoming 2006 championship. Working alongside his teammate for the new season, Christijan Albers, the Portuguese driver took to the Silverstone circuit in Great Britain to take part in the development of certain new parts on the teams 2006 V8 Toyota powered contender.

Tiago Monteiro "I am thrilled to back behind the wheel again after being away from it since December and the first day was essential to test the behaviour of the new gear box. I covered 200km without it showing the smallest sign of weakness, which is rather unusual for new such a complex element."

For the last day of the test, despite wet conditions, Tiago was able to carry out the majority of his program.

“Despite the rain on Friday, it was important to get in some laps even if it was difficult to make any comparisons. We put on dry tyres when a dry line started to emerge and could draw some interesting conclusions from the last day, " he explained. "I could manage around fifty laps and one of the most satisfying things to come out of this test was that there was a good level of reliability."

Monteiro was pleased with this aspect and could therefore test a majority of parts as well as the engine that he will contest the 2006 championship with.

"We did not encounter any mechanical problems during 1,200km of testing. This program was essential to validate the developments that will be used on the new car."

In 2005, the late signing of Tiago and the Jordan teams limited program had not enabled him to test during the lead up to the season so this winter, Monteiro can be devoted to his job in the important pre-season, and these tests are of crucial importance.

"These tests are essential because they enable us extend our knowledge of the car so that we can be ready when the championship begins in March."

Once the test was finished, Tiago immediately flew to Lisbon for the ‘Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa’ (tourism stock exchange) – the driver has a degree in hotel management and tourism - where he had an autograph session in Iberotel. Always active, Tiago then dedicated his book, "Tiago Monteiro, Best of Formula One 2005".