Photo: TCR Media

Fernando Monje delighted with maiden Opel podium

Fernando Monje put on a great show in his Campos Racing Opel Astra OPC, taking the car’s maiden podium in the TCR International Series, as well as being elected Man of the Race in Monza, Italy.

The Spaniard is proud of what the team achieved: “The team did a great job, we made fantastic progress,” said Monje. “We were not expecting this on Friday, as we were four or five seconds off the pace, so we basically turned the car upside down and learned every time the car went out on track. It is a fantastic achievement to be on the podium.”

The Spaniard had a very good race in the second heat: “In the second race we managed to have a very good top speed, but I struggled under braking and at the entry of the corners, as it was almost impossible to keep it on the road. The rear was very unstable but I did the best I could and the results came. All the work we have done has paid off, and it’s great for Campos Racing, Opel and everyone who worked so hard for this project.”

Monje also briefly led the race, something he expected could happen: “I knew that we had a good chance at the start, but it was not fantastic in the second race. I knew I had the speed, we had actually changed the car between the races to avoid understeer at the end of the race, but it didn’t work as we expected.”

Campos Racing are still not sure as to what the driver line up will be at Salzburgring, but it is likely that Monje will be in the Opel Astra OPC again.