Tiago Monteiro will continue to form part of SEAT Sport's assault on World Touring Car Championship honours in 2008, after the Spanish manufacturer chose to retain the ex-Formula 1 ace's services for another year.

In company with fellow 2007 teamsters Yvan Muller, Jordi Gene and Gabriele Tarquini – and SEAT returnee Rickard Rydell – Monteiro will drive a SEAT León TDI next year as he attempts to improve upon the eleventh place he achieved in the drivers' rankings in his maiden campaign. His sophomore season will mean a greater challenge and increased responsibility behind the wheel of a more powerful car.

“I am proud and happy that SEAT has placed its confidence in me and that it is letting me take part in its ambitious WTCC project,” the Portugese star enthused following the announcement. “As a motor racing professional, it is important to constantly place yourself at the highest level and that's the case with a factory team like SEAT, which has the structure and competitiveness needed to succeed. The future is promising because SEAT has done a remarkable job in terms of both competition and communication.

“I have made some new friends at SEAT, and I learned a lot about the WTCC which is one of the highest-level international championships. I am sure the experience gained in 2007 will help me in my second year in this category, and I will do everything to battle for the very leading places next year. I would like to thank SEAT Sport, SEAT Portugal, my loyal personal sponsors and all those who have supported me in my competitive project.”

Monteiro notched up a trio of rostrum finishes during 2007, as well as a pole position in the Swedish rain at Anderstorp, and SEAT Sport Director Jaime Puig admitted he had needed little encouragement to recapture the 31-year-old's signature for a second successive year.

“Tiago is a fast and complete driver,” Puig asserted. “His driving style brings a communicative emotion and I was greatly impressed by Tiago's professionalism in 2007. He fulfilled his mission and adapted quickly to the WTCC, despite the handicap of having been forced to sit out the first races of the championship. Tiago brought satisfaction to the SEAT team at all levels, and it considers him a fundamental driver for reaching its goals, which are the drivers' and constructors' titles.”

“We are proud that Tiago is representing Portugal with SEAT,” added Terese Lameiras, SEAT Portugal manager. “He wonderfully translates SEAT's ambitions in the field of motor racing.”

The 2008 World Touring Car Championship will kick off on 3 March at Curitiba in Brazil, and will include eleven meetings concluding with the traditional season finale at Macau on 16 November.