INDIANAPOLIS -- Former CART champion Emerson Fittipaldi is back in the series after 14 years.

Fittipaldi and business partner James Dingman on Monday announced the formation of Fittipaldi-Dingman Racing.

Fittipaldi, who won the 1989 CART title to go with two Formula One titles, will look to become the only person to win a Champ Car title as a driver and an owner.

Fittipaldi and Dingman become the 19th entrants to race in the 2003 Bridgestone Champ Car World Series.

"We are excited about all of our teams for the 2003 season, but are especially pleased about having one of our former champions back in the series with Emerson owning a team," said CART president and CEO Christopher R. Pook. "He and his team will provide even more excitement for Champ Car fans in 2003."

Although Fittipaldi retired from racing in 1996, he remained close to the circuit, serving as promoter for an event in Rio de Janeiro and also holding the series television rights in Brazil where viewership surpasses that in the United States.

"I am very proud to return to Champ Car racing at a time when the sport is in the midst of its most significant turnaround in history under the leadership of Chris Pook," Fittipaldi said.

"This time however, I will race as a team owner, in a partnership with James Dingman. I have known the Dingmans through James' father, Michael Dingman, for several years and I am confident that this partnership will be successful on and off the track."

The team will run a package of Ford-Cosworth/Reynard/Bridgestones with Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro at the wheel. Monteiro comes to Champ Cars after racing in the FIA International F3000 Championship last season, running as a teammate to Newman/Haas driver Sebastien Bourdais. He spent the three years prior to last season in the French Formula 3 Series, and ran a F1 test with Renault after his F3000 campaign.

The team has its program based at the Mi-Jack Conquest Racing headquarters in Indianapolis.

Fittipaldi and Dingman will look for long-term sponsors and may have a second car later in the season.

"I am very excited to help Emerson win his first championship as an owner," Dingman said.

The team will hit the track for their first Champ Car race on Feb. 23 when the 2003 season begins with the inaugural Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of the Florida city.