Sato to get nod over Monteiro at ‘MF1’?

MF1's first formula one car, the M16, will debut during the tests in late January or early February, according to the team's sporting relations manager.

Johnny Herbert, a veteran of 165 grands prix who retired in 2000, insisted that the Silverstone based squad – formerly owned by Eddie Jordan – has designed a totally new car 'from the wheels to the engine'.

But the 41-year-old gave no hints as to why Tiago Monteiro's 2006 race contract has not yet been confirmed, amid renewed speculation that axed Honda driver Takuma Sato is still in the running.

''Soon we will have our second driver confirmed,'' Herbert told f1.com.

He also said: ''We want to be more competitive in 2006 and the all new M16 car is the first step.''