Monteiro eyes Prodrive seat

(GMM) F1 refugee Tiago Monteiro has set his sights on returning to formula one next year with Prodrive.

The Portuguese, who in 2005 and last year drove for the team known as Jordan, Midland and Spyker with significant private sponsorship, has taken shelter in 2007 in the FIA's world touring car series.

But Monteiro, 30, makes no secret of his desire to come back in 2008, and said David Richards' new team could be an ideal way to do it.

"A new team coming in does increase my chances," he told the Dutch magazine Formule 1 Race Report.

"There are some discussions with Prodrive, but it is difficult at the moment to say what my chances are."

However, Monteiro concedes as 'obvious' that if Prodrive does as expected link up with McLaren and Mercedes next year, team test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett are first in line for the two race seats.