Photo: TCR Media

Tiago Monteiro now on the back foot as turbo issues rule him out of practice

Tiago Monteiro has it all to do in qualifying with just 30 minutes of track time on Friday, after a turbo pipe issue meant the Portuguese driver was unable to set a single timed lap in the final practice session.

Monteiro had gone fastest in the slippery conditions on Thursday, but his time from that session was superseded by five drivers in the second session, with the Portuguese driver sidelined due to an uncooperative turbo pipe.

“I haven’t done a lap,” said a frustrated Monteiro. “As soon as we went out there was a strange noise from the engine. The turbo pipe came off on the engine, which is difficult to sort quickly, and kept coming off.

“It’s never really good to have something like that happen here, as everyone else has now improved their feeling and confidence.”