Monteiro claims Swedish pole

Tiago Monteiro took his first WTCC-pole at Anderstorp in Sweden on a drying track. The SEAT-driver took the pole at the very last minute as the times fell towards the end. A heavy rain-shower soaked the track before qualifying and during the first phase but at the end the sun broke out and dried the track up.

This was not only Tiagos first pole in WTCC but also SEAT:s first pole position of the season and he was very pleased afterwards.
“In these conditions anything can happen but we actually have a good car here. The balance is good and I’m very happy with it. I had two good laps at the end when the sun was out that got me the pole. I’d prefer dry for tomorrow, but it doesn’t really matter – I love Anderstorp and Sweden right now.”

Nicola Larini had provisional pole but had to be content with second place on the grid in the end.
“It’s almost like a dream considering I’m 50 kgs heavier than Tiago. I would prefer to have a wet race tomorrow, the car seems to work well in the rain.”

Robert Huff was third fastest thanks to a dry set-up that worked well at the very end of qualifying.
“We hoped it was gonna be dry towards the end and went for a dry set-up. It was tricky to drive in the beginning but it worked perfectly in the last laps.

The Swedish drivers were in contention for pole with both Fredrik Ekblom in the BMW and Rickard Rydell in the Chevrolet topping the time sheets several times during qualifying, but they had to be content with fourth and fifth place respectively.