Tiago Monteiro secured a brace of top five finishes during rounds 17 and 18 of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship at the Sonoma Raceway, California.
“This is a big weekend for Honda. The results are well deserved,” summarized Monteiro. “This very technical track has helped us to achieve a high level of performance. I loved the entire weekend and these results are an additional motivation for the next races in two weeks’ time in Japan.”
Having qualified third fastest for the first race of the weekend, the Portuguese driver moved up to second off the rolling start and he chased down race leader Tom Chilton during the early laps before dropping back as the race progressed to bring the #18 Honda Civic home second overall.
“I tried everything to get into first place in the first few miles, but it was not easy to overtake,” added Monteiro. “I pushed as hard as I could but my opponent didn’t make any errors and I was unable to get past. But second place is very nice for me, Honda and JAS Motorsport.”
The second race saw Monteiro line up eighth and having made up two spots in the early laps; he crossed the line fifth to match his best weekend of the season, which came in the WTCC Race of Slovakia back in April.
His results helped Honda secure the Manufacturers title ahead of the trip to Suzuka, the circuit where the car made its debut with Monteiro last year.
“I had a good start and I attacked from beginning to end and passed all the opponents that were within my reach. I definitely have a feeling of accomplishment! Congratulations to Honda on our constructors’ title!” concluded Monteiro, who heads to Japan 10th in the Championship.