Photo: WTCC Media

Tiago Monteiro says Honda can’t rest despite great start in Morocco

Honda’s Tiago Monteiro leaves Morocco with the lead of the drivers’ championship after taking pole position and a comfortable victory in the main race at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan, but the Portuguese driver says the challenge from manufacturer rival Polestar is very clear.

Monteiro secured his fourth career pole position, and his tenth WTCC race victory on the streets of Marrakech, and heads to Monza, Honda car builder JAS’s home race, with the lead of the drivers’ standings, but says the team can’t rest on its laurels.

“We wanted to have a strong start and show that everything we’ve done has paid off,” said Monteiro to TouringCarTimes. “We knew the first race should be good for us, but I’m expecting to have a much tougher time in Monza.

“We need to do a bit of damage control there, and try and score as many points as possible in the races. In the races, a lot of things could happen.”

At the revamped Moroccan circuit, Honda showed good pace last year as well, with Rob Huff securing pole position for the team in qualifying. Monteiro repeated his former team-mate’s performance on Saturday, but was only just ahead of Polestar Volvo’s new signing Néstor Girolami.

“Volvo have proven here that they’ve made a strong step, as they struggled a lot here last year,” added Monteiro. “And if they’re strong here, they’ll be even stronger in other places, so we know they’re going to give us a hard time and they’re not going to let us rest.”

Monteiro leads the drivers’ standings on 43 points, with the championship now awarding more points for main race victories as of this season, with team-mate Michelisz his closest rival on 36, with Polestar’s Nicky Catsburg on 28.