Revised front wing to lift Monteiro.

Midland MF1 driver Tiago Monteiro has said that he thinks the Toyota powered M16 will definitely perform better at the San Marino GP this weekend, than it has to date this season in either Bahrain, Malaysia or Australia.

Speaking ahead of the fourth event on the schedule, the first European round of 2006, Monteiro is looking forward to getting back in the car after the three-week break and is optimistic that the tests conducted at Silverstone last week by his team-mates will help, especially as they will have a revised front wing.

"Three weeks without driving have been quite long," he said. "Intensive physical training is still no substitute for actually being behind the wheel. I'm really glad to be back in Europe.

"Like all other teams, we have been working hard on some improvements to the car and we've been testing a new front wing. The team completed an intense schedule of development during last week's session in Silverstone. Our Toyota-engined car should be suited to the San Marino circuit."

Monteiro enjoyed the San Marino GP last season, eventually finishing 13th overall in the Jordan-Midland EJ15, after qualifying 17th.

"I'm not new to Imola," he continued. "I know the track and know to be careful of its high kerbs - especially in the chicanes, because they are high and you have to ride over them without losing any momentum. The worn and bumpy tarmack on the track does not help either. However, even though the track is familiar, we can expect lower temperatures than during the three first races. Imola is a track that needs good traction and brake stability. It makes the track tough and overtaking is very, very difficult.

"I'm fully motivated with good memories from the race last year, where I had the satisfaction to finish the race and the car should be definitely better than it has been in the first three races."

To date this season Monteiro has finished in two of the three events - his best result a 13th place at the Malaysian Grand Prix.