Tiago Monteiro admits this this weekend’s World Touring Car Championship races around the Nürburgring can ‘only be better than last year’, when the Honda driver suffered a huge crash on the Nordschleife.
In 2016, Monteiro was leading the Opening Race on the ‘Ring when he suffered a puncture on the final lap of the race, pitching him into the barriers and also taking out another car.
The Portuguese driver heads into this weekend’s races in Germany with a comfortable championship lead, and after his 2016 non-score (Monteiro failed to start the Main Race due to the damage incurred) he admits that things can only improve in this week’s headline event.
“The circuit is so special that I do not know what to expect,” said Monteiro. “This is the most difficult and incredible track I know, and it represents a huge challenge for any driver.
“My accident here last year will not affect my concentration or my performance this weekend – [you’ve got to] get what you can! But I know that the result can only be better than last year’s.”
With a comfortable 38-point lead in the drivers’ championship standings, Monteiro also reflected on what has been a very promising start to the season.
“It’s been a fantastic year so far,” added the 40-year-old. “Honda’s developments on the Civic over the winter have borne fruit in every aspect and on every circuit.
“This weekend, the battle will be even greater on what is a very long track with many fast and blind corners and long straights. We need a very good car to face all these challenges.”
Testing and first practice will take place on Thursday at 10:30 BST (11:30 CEST) and 17:50 BST (18:50 CEST) respectively, with each session lasting one hour.