Monteiro on the podium in Marrakech

Tiago Monteiro experienced an almost perfect weekend in Morocco after securing a podium finish in the first race (3rd) and by securing points for 4th place in the second. The Oporto driver tallied up the third best score of the weekend in Marrakech by displaying speed and concentration at all times on the street track surrounded by concrete walls that do not forgive even the smallest variation in driving.

The second race was reduced to a more simple event consisting of just two laps under green conditions while the remainder of the race was disputed behind the safety car due to two big accidents, which thankfully did not result in any injuries. Therefore Tiago could not fight for another podium.

Nevertheless, his performance in Marrakech secured him 27 points (15+12) and allows him to move from 8th to the 5th in the drivers classification of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Furthermore, Tiago played a strong part in helping SEAT and the Sr-Sport team move to the top in the manufacturers championship.

"It is a very positive weekend," Tiago summarized. "The first race showed that the car improved a lot from the practice sessions and I am very satisfied to have clinched this podium, my first one in 2010. Furthermore, I think that if most of the race had not been completed behind the safety car I would have had a good chance to climb onto the podium again. But the overall result is excellent for me and for SEAT. We are leading the teams’ championship and I can fight for the win. This podium in Marrakech is all the more delighting as it comes in time for Mother’s day and I dedicate it to my mother as well as to Diana. It is also the first podium I can offer my son," declared an emotional Tiago after his magnificent weekend in Morocco.

The Marrakech weekend was marked by many incidents and accidents but Tiago knew how to stay away from trouble while at the same time staying as close to the front as possible. In particular, the first race was highlighted by some very magnificent overtaking manoeuvres, especially the one on Fredy Barth that enabled him to seize 3rd place. "It is in this kind of moment when you must not think twice," Tiago acknowledged. "I saw the chance to get past and I went for it. On a track like Marrakech, you don’t want to take unnecessary risk but at the same time you want to seize each and any opportunity. It is a difficult balance to find. SR-Spot deserves all the congratulations because the FIA WTCC is a very competitive championship, it is always very tight and three teams are fighting for the win. In Monza, we’ll try to do at least as good as we did in Marrakech, if not better, to defend our leadership."

The next races in the World Touring Car Championship will take place in Monza in three weeks time, on the 22nd and 23rd of May.