WTCR: Tiago just misses podium at home race

After his victory at the season opener at the Nürburgring, Tiago Monteiro again proved at the second race weekend of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCR) that he is a force to be reckoned with this year. At his home race in Estoril, the Brose-backed Portuguese achieved a very good fourth place in the first race. Tiago even took a commanding lead in the second race before a technical problem with his Honda Civic unfortunately set him far back.

However, his teammate Attila Tassi proved that not only he is one of the favorites this season, but also their entire team ALL-INKL.DE Münnich Motorsport should be considered. The Hungarian took his first ever win in a WTCR race in the second round at Estoril, leading the team to first place in the overall standings. "First of all, I'm really happy for Attila. Every time it looks like we're both on the podium after a race, something happens. Nevertheless, congratulations," said Tiago.

The 44-year-old was already among the fastest drivers in qualifying and finished second in the time chase. He was not even twelve hundredths of a second behind winner Esteban Guerrieri from sister team ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport. "Congratulations to the entire Münnich Motorsport team and to Honda," said Tiago after qualifying. "That was a real team effort. We're pushing each other right now and it's paying off at the moment." As the first race was started in reverse order of the qualifying result, Tiago started the race from position nine.

He demonstrated his class and experience right from the start. Unlike many other drivers, he got through the first corner without any problems and quickly improved by several positions to fourth place. He then relinquished this position to Guerrieri, who also got off to a very good start. Shortly before the finish, Tiago overtook the Argentine again and finished the race just one place behind the podium positions. "I had said beforehand that this would be interesting. And that's how it turned out," said Tiago. "I'm happy that I was able to move up from P9 to P4. I benefited from the chaos in the first corner."

In the second race, it looked for a long time as if Tiago would be able to top this result and take his second win of the young season. Shortly after the start, the former Formula 1 driver moved to the front of the field after Guerrieri, on pole position, failed to get going and fell far behind. Tiago, on the other hand, extended his lead further and further until a technical mishap six laps from the end robbed him of all chances of victory. The right side of his hood had come loose, so he had to pit and lost a lot of time. In the end, Tassi's victory meant Tiago had to settle for 18th place.

"It's disappointing to have to give up a victory like that," said the Portuguese after his home race. Nevertheless, he was confident about the coming races: "The season is still long. We have a good package, a good car and are right in the thick of the title fight." This applies not only to his racing team but also to him personally. With a gap of just nine points to the top, Tiago is still in a promising position in fifth place in the overall standings.

The next two races are already scheduled for two weeks from now in Aragon, Spain. We wish Tiago all the best and much success for this.