Tiago Monteiro says he is confident that the SEAT Leon TDi will be on the pace as the World Touring Car Championship heads to brands Hatch for the British rounds of the season.

The Portuguese driver heads to Brands Hatch on the back of a strong recent run of form, which has seen him pick up 27 points from the past three race meetings.

Eager to help SEAT in its quest to defend the manufacturers' title, the former F1 racer said he was targeting a place on the podium at the Kent circuit although he admitted that he would only be able to set his real goals when the cars hit the track for practice.

"Brands Hatch is a circuit that I like and I think our car should be competitive here," he said. "The championship is still open and even though we have to cope with unexpected difficulties, our race pace has always been good.

“On a personal level, I am very motivated, even more after two podiums in Valencia and Brno and after having secured points in both races in Porto. My aim will be to score as many points as possible. I would like to climb onto the podium at Brands Hatch but it's only when we start the practice session that we'll have a better picture about what is or is not realistic. But I'm confident we can enjoy a good weekend."

Despite the fact that SEAT heads both championships going into the British races, Monteiro admitted the team couldn't afford to get complacent with ten races still to run this season.

"Two years ago we lost the title at the last race in Macau," he said. "Last year we thoroughly developed the diesel engine and we were the team to beat. But things are different in '09 and we feel that we have to push even harder to keep fighting at the front.

“There are some tracks where it is almost impossible and others where we are able to use the full potential of our SEAT León TDI. As for me, I take the championship race by race and the next one is always the most important. The World Touring Car Championship is a series where experience plays a key role and the driver can feel the evolution."