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Monteiro signs for SEAT

Former Formula One driver Tiago Monteiro will be a late addition to SEAT's factory World Touring Car Championship team, making his debut in round two at Zandvoort in May

The Portuguese driver, who lost his Spyker seat to Adrian Sutil, had tested the SEAT Leon WTCC car in February, and decided that he would rather race in another category then chase an F1 testing role.

"Since testing the car in Valencia, I realised that the team has great experience and can compete at the highest professional level," said Monteiro.

"With the team's help I am sure that I will be able to learn rapidly in such a different championship and to be among the best as soon as possible."

The deal came together too late for Monteiro to participate in this weekend's season-opener at Curitiba, but he will travel to the event and spend the meeting with the SEAT team.

"We are delighted to welcome a pilot of Tiago Monteiro's stature to SEAT Sport," said team boss Jaime Puig.

"Our race cars are already are in Brazil, so Tiago will make his debut for us in the second race meeting of the championship in Holland.

"Until then, we will make sure he is able to gain as much information as possible about the SEAT Leon WTCC and the championship, to enable him to make the best debut possible."

Monteiro praised the growing touring car series, and pledged to give it his full commitment.

"The WTCC is one of the few real world championships, and it becomes bigger and more important year by year," he said.

"The promotion and the image are really nice, and the promoters are doing great work. I am grateful to all the people who have made this agreement possible and I guarantee my total dedication.

"I am impatient to enter the action at Zandvoort and am sure that there, and in the whole championship, I will have the support of all my fans."

The signing of Monteiro means that SEAT will expand to a five-car works line-up, as they have already recruited series regulars Jordi Gene, Gabriele Tarquini, Yvan Muller, and Monteiro's former Champ Car rival Michel Jourdain Jr.

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