By Huw Alban
February 11 2006

Since this site first went live in November 2005 the main topic of debate has focused on the future of Tiago Monteiro. A recent odd story, containing quotes from Colin Kolles, prompted us to contact the team for another official response hopefully closing this subject once and for all.

A few days ago, a kind forum contributor here at MF1O posted the following story:

MF1 Team Principal Colin Kolles has admitted that the team delayed announcing Tiago Monteiro's 2006 race seat as a negotiating ploy.

"The Midland-owned squad's managing director told Motorsport Aktuell that - while having the option of retaining the Portuguese rookie - other teams were also interested in signing him.

Williams, for one, enquired about 29-year-old Monteiro - sponsored by the Portuguese government - for a test seat this year.

"Naturally you do try to maximise the situation," Kolles admitted. He also rejected criticism that Midland's priorities are all wrong, because - out of the twenty confirmed 2006 pilots - only Monteiro and Christijan Albers are what could be described as traditional pay-drivers.

Kolles insisted that MF1 boasts a 'quality' line-up."

It struck me at the time that this was a somewhat bizarre collection of quotes that appeared to be cobbled together to fit a fictional headline, but since anything around the topic of Tiago Monteiro being or not-being announced by the team is sensitive at best I felt it wise to contact the team for their view. The other thing that struck me was that at the M16 launch last Friday it was never made clear as to why Tiago hadn't been officially announced. Frequent visitors may remember that we were told that the reasons for a lack of announcement would be clear, once Tiago could be officially confirmed.

First off, the original story as quoted has been completely rubbished by our team sources, and in fact their reaction to the quotes allegedly made by Colin Kolles suggests that my initial gut feel may have some credibility. Secondly, the article claims that the team were using the delay as a negotiating ploy, but stops short of telling us who the team were negotiating with. "I can confirm this 100% - Colin did not at any time negotiate with other teams for Tiago's services," we were told in answer to our query. "Therefore, the basis for this article is false."

Having dismissed the original article (which I have to admit I had already done hence it not being posted here) our contacts at Midland went on to answer our second query - why was there a delay or apparent silence from the team over confirming Tiago as the second race driver ?

"The primary reason an official announcement regarding Tiago's position was not made prior to the launch is that by extending his contract, the team had not signed a new driver, only retained an existing one. For us, it was a logical extension. As you know, the team never denied that Tiago would be driving for us and did not at any time refute Tiago's own claims to the press that he would be a Midland driver."

I have to admit that until recently I was unaware that Tiago's contract had been extended, but the team not denying anything should be old news to frequent visitors to this site.

"Another reason we could not officially confirm his seat with a public announcement relates to confidential contractual issues, which I had alluded to previously but am not at liberty to divulge." This refers to a conversation Phil and I had at the M16 launch where it was made clear to us, confidentially, as to what the real reasons were.

"In any event, we truly regret any confusion or anxiety this unfortunate situation may have caused the team's fans and, more specifically, Tiago's. The important thing going forward is that MF1 now has two fantastic race drivers confirmed for the 2006 season and we are committed to improving in every way possible, including the way we publicly communicate."

I know that passionate Tiago fans are not going to like the confidential part, but there is one thing that is completely clear in this response. The team have never set out to be disrespectful, dishonest, or dismissive over the whole situation regarding Tiago Monteiro's future with the team. The simple fact was that they couldn't say anything - nothing - nada - zip - and the team were as frustrated as the rest of us at the time.

I think now that it is time that we close the door on this once and for all, and look forward. The team have a new car, a new look, a new image, new people, new fans, and the potential to have a great season in Formula One. Tiago is in the team, and the ingredients are all there for him to have a great season too.