Tiago Monteiro secures a brilliant podium at home

Both FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) races held this weekend on the Boavista circuit in Porto could not have gone better for Tiago Monteiro. On his home turf, the Porto native secured his third podium of the season in the second race, after taking points for a 4th place finish a few hours earlier. The overall result enables the SEAT Sun-Red driver to move up two places in the overall classification, and he moves into 4th position, the first for a non-Chevrolet driver.

Tiago experienced an emotion-packed weekend racing before his fans, who supported him all throughout the event. Carried by his fans, Tiago fought an epic duel with Gabriele Tarquini, his SEAT Sun-Red teammate, who he overtook in the first race. "I knew I had to take risks to achieve my objectives," explained Tiago Monteiro, who was the best-finishing SEAT and Sun-Red driver in both Portuguese races. "The 4th place finish is like a victory for us because I know that for now the Chevrolets are in a class by themselves."

With his wins at Portimao (2010) and Estoril (2008), Tiago’s 3rd place finish at Boavista adds to his successful record for FIA WTCC races at home. "In the second race, I had to resist being overcome by the emotions I felt every time I passed by the grandstands. Every time, I felt the fans were sending their help to me and I did not want to lose my concentration. I didn’t lose sight of my objective, and I wanted to reward the public and team with this 3rd podium of the year. It’s the fruit of a job very well done by the team these past two weeks. I would like to congratulate and thank all the SEAT and Sun-Red crew members."

From his 6th place standing in the championship before coming to Porto, Tiago leapfrogged up to 4th. "It is very important to be on the forefront. We have done an extraordinary job and we managed to face adversity. Before this weekend, we thought that an excellent result was unlikely and so this podium is all the more gratifying," the Portuguese driver concluded.

After an intense, fruitful weekend, Tiago will regain his strength to be in top form for the Donington Park races (July 15-16).