MF1 Racing still chasing the points

Monaco should have been the turning point. Christijan Albers and Tiago Monteiro qualified 16th and 17th respectively, their highest positions of the year so far, and they should have scored MF1 Racing's first World Championship points.

But the race went awry almost before it had started. On the approach to Ste Devote on lap one, Albers was squeezed by another car and jinked into the path of his team-mate. Monteiro's front wing was damaged in the impact, forcing him into the pits, and Albers lost one place.

"Monaco was a race in which we could have done something," said Monteiro, "especially when you look at the results. But Chris and I are in identical cars, fighting at a similar level, so there's always going to be a risk that we'll come together. That's part of the game."

Another collision between the team-mates occurred at Turn 1 in Canada, this time putting Albers out of the race, while Monteiro went on to finish 14th. Now, with just five races remaining this year, the team still awaits its elusive first point.

"The last five or six races have definitely been an improvement," said Monteiro. "You can see that by the way in which we are always fighting for the top 16 in qualifying. We're much closer to pole now than we have ever been. It's very encouraging and very motivating for everyone, both the drivers and the team. Let's hope that trend continues for the rest of the season and helps us to score a few points before we're done."

Proof of the team's progress came at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, where the cars were quick in qualifying and the race, and finished 10th (Monteiro) and 11th (Albers). Given the summer testing ban, the gap to the team's rivals should remain constant ahead of this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.

Monteiro finished 15th at the race last year, but courted controversy when he ran into the back of Juan Pablo Montoya's McLaren while being lapped, and Albers retired from the race. Both drivers are looking for an improvement this time around.

Bridgestone is taking its medium-to-soft tyre compounds to Istanbul, which Monteiro hopes will lift MF1 Racing's performance.

"So much of our success depends on the tyre choice that we make for each track, so it's very important to get it right," he said. "We have been making some good choices at the last few races, so I'm confident that we can get a good result in Turkey. It's a fun track to drive and I can't wait to get back in the cockpit."