Monteiro eyes WTCC title in 2008

The Portuguese driver, a former Formula One racer, switched to the WTCC this year, making his debut in the second round of the series with a works SEAT Leon.

Monteiro, who will stay at SEAT next year, clinched three podium finishes on his way to 11th place in the standings, but reckons he should have a chance of fighting for the title next season.

"I would hope so - that's what I'm going to aim for initially," Monteiro said. "I need to learn a lot still. I think I have the speed for it but maybe not the experience. And the luck too.

"In the WTCC you need to be well-placed in race one or you won't be able to score in race two. I've got to do that to be able to fight for the title."

He added: "The goal, the objective is very different. Next year I will have a proper winter test programme. It was difficult coming in late in 2007 from single-seaters without much winter testing and racing against very experienced drivers.

"I learned a lot in my first season but with a full test programme I'll be a lot more confident and maybe be able to know a bit more about the setup of the car coming into the season. I really appreciate the trust and confidence that SEAT has put in me."

Monteiro admits he had a lot of fun racing touring cars following two years in Formula One.

"Definitely. It's the most fun and aggressive racing I've done," he added. "I raced in Porsches, but it is not as competitive as WTCC.

"In single-seaters, the only thing I've done which compares in probably Champ Car. It's the most aggressive championship I've been in and you have to get used to it very quickly."