Giorgio Pantano has confirmed that, despite a four year absence, his ambition is to return to the formula one grid in the near future.

The 29-year-old Italian raced nearly a full season for Jordan in 2004, thereafter reverting to the support category GP2 where he holds the record for the most races completed and most wins.

He is currently atop the 2008 standings, ahead of the likes of Bruno Senna, Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi, having won the most recent Magny-Cours and Silverstone feature races.

Like Senna, he is openly saying his target is to win the title and then switch to F1.

"I know that it will not be simple," Pantano is quoted as saying by Motorsport Aktuell. "I am Italian, which nowadays is not an advantage, because the interesting markets are elsewhere."

He also declared that he doubts he could show his worth with a less competitive team like Force India or Toro Rosso.

"In order to really show what I can offer, I would have to be accommodated by a midfield team, say Red Bull Racing."

In 2004, Pantano was replaced at Jordan by Timo Glock, and this season once again watched the German steal his thunder by progressing as GP2 champion to a race Seat at Toyota.

Is he jealous? "No, I am annoyed only about formula one, in which real second chances are rare."

Source. GMM