WTCR: Bad luck for Tiago at home race

Things went a little better for Tiago Monteiro on the fifth race weekend of the FIA WTCR World Touring Car Cup than a week earlier in Aragon. But the Portuguese could not be really happy at his first home race in Vila Real after three years. In the first race he held his own in the points, finishing eleventh despite a collision, his best result this season since the opening weekend in France. In the second race, however, an accident early on ended the 45-year-old's hopes of a top ten result.

"In terms of performance and results, it wasn't an outstanding weekend," said the Honda rider. "In the first race a broken splitter destroyed the chance of a good result. There would have been really something in it. And in the second race I had an accident." In the first race, which he had started from 13th on the grid after a mixed qualifying session, the former Formula 1 driver drove in impressive style to the top ten in the meantime. But then he was touched by another vehicle and his Honda Civic Type TCR was damaged by a splinter. The chance of a top 10 finish was thus gone.

Tiago: "It's great to be back".

The second race ended for Tiago already in the second lap. After a collision with his brand colleague Esteban Guerrieri, the local hero hit the track barrier of the street circuit and was subsequently unable to continue the race. Despite the early retirement in the second race, it was fantastic to "feel the support and passion at the track," Tiago said. "This is what we race for and what also makes it easier to get through the difficult phase. It's great to be back and to experience the event together."

Fans in Portugal may not have been able to cheer a podium finish for their compatriot. But Tiago's teammate Attila Tassi celebrated one of the best results of his TCR career. The Hungarian drove to second place in the second race and thus clinched the first podium for LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler as a Honda customer team. This success also motivates Tiago for the upcoming races. "We will continue to work hard. We know that the tide will turn for us again," he said. The next race weekend will be held in Italy on July 23 and 24.