By Huw Alban
December 16 2005

Tiago Monteiro fans around the world are crying out for Mildand to either confirm or deny that the popular Portugese driver is racing next year. Despite their best efforts F1 news web sites around the world just cannot get those magic words. www.paddocktalk.com got the closest, managing to actually get through to a 'spokeswoman' at Midland F1. Still quoting the appearance of Tiago's name on the FIA entry list, all paddocktalk coud get was that the driver deal was "still not completely finalised".

"We have an option on Tiago," she continued, "and that is why the FIA listed him."

When pressed for a date when an announcement would be made, the spokeswoman apparently said, "Until such time as everything is fully resolved, we will not be making an official announcement."

Monteiro tested with the Midland F1 team at Jerez last week, further fueling the pro-Monteiro debate.

Speculation on the F1 news forums has ranged from last minute complications with signing Galp as title sponsor, to the team keeping their options open with regard to potentially having a Russian driver on the grid.

In the light of Roman Rusinov's recent statements claiming that sponsorship may be a problem, we asked our sources at Midland whether the global Midland company could be of help to potential drivers seeking a break. We were told, "It stands to reason that if a mutually-beneficial arrangement could be found for all interested parties the team, the driver and his sponsors then certainly our organization would help facilitate those connections in any way possible." This opens up all sorts of possibilities with regard to the Monteiro option, but we'll just have to wait and see until the team resolves whatever the issues are and makes and announcement.

More on this one if we get it.