Monteiro gets first taste of diesel power

Former grand prix racer turned World Touring Car driver Tiago Monteiro, had his first run in a diesel-powered SEAT León TDi at Estoril recently.
The Portuguese driver was pleased with the progress with his introduction to the diesel version of the car.

At the end of the day, Tiago, a former Midland F1 driver, was satisfied with the development of the SEAT León TDI and his adaptation to the new car, whose characteristics are very different from the petrol version he drove last year.

He said: “This car is 80kg heavier than the petrol Leon so it’s handling very differently. Also, the FIA has forbidden the flat bottom, which has changed the handling in fast corners.

“But we are on the right track and everything indicates that our results are positive. I think that’s the subject preoccupying the other teams.”

Monteiro is expected to test the car again at Albacete before heading to Brazil in preparation for the start of the 2008 season at Curitiba on March 2.