Tiago Monteiro secures excellent third place on US grid!

The World Championship Touring Car Championship, WTCC, are racing in California for the second consecutive year and Honda has already made a convincing debut on the Sonoma circuit, securing results in the top 10 of both qualifying sessions.

After a very strong free practice session where he recorded the best time of the first session, Tiago Monteiro will now start the first race of the Sonoma weekend from tor third place on the grid. For race two, under regulation of the reverse grid, he will start from the fourth row of the grid. These excellent results see the Portuguese driver confirming his ambitions, to be a podium contender in the U.S.

The Honda Civic driver has been busy doing everything he can to help him achieve a podium finish. After being fastest in testing, Tiago Monteiro used the free practice sessions to focus on preparing for Sunday's races, bioth of which are expected to be very challenging, not only because of the high temperatures but also because of the abrasive asphalt. "It was a good result and reflects the good work that we have undertaken with the whole team. This circuit is well suited to our car, despite the conditions being quite difficult out there today. Starting from the front rows will be an advantage on a track where overtaking is complicated," explained the Portuguese driver.

Temperatures around 36 degrees are expected for Sunday's races and Tiago is aware that he will be facing an uphill battle... "But everyone will have to face the same conditions. Tire wear will play a key role but that is not the only concern. Ensuring a good start will play a vital role. Though we cannot underestimate the competitiveness of our opponents, a podium is definitely in sight. After all the hard work we have done here, we deserve this reward," concluded Tiago Monteiro, who is particularly fond of racing in America.

Tiago Monteiro