Tiago Monteiro ‘over the moon’ with first podium for Honda

Honda Racing Team JAS scored their first podium result in only their third race meeting at Macau, with Tiago Monteiro finishing behind the two Chevrolet Cruzes of Yvan Muller and Alain Menu in race one.

Monteiro scored the team’s best points with third in race one, and a fourth place in race two despite a late race technical problem which saw him drop to nine seconds behind the three works Chevrolets behind the safety car and pull to a stop after the race had finished.

“It’s an mazing result,” said Monteiro.” We started the project seriously six months ago and everybody worked so hard to be at the races. It was a great decision from Honda to try three events to learn as much as possible.

Monteiro was quick all weekend in the admittedly light Honda Civic Super 2000 TC, which was running at 1,130kg compared to the maximum weight Chevrolet Cruzes on 1,200kg. MOnteiro was fastest of all in the Thursday test session, and followed it up with fifth on the grid in qualifying behind the three Chevrolets and future team-mate Gabriele Tarquini’s SEAT León.

“It was a big surprise when we arrived and we were strong right away,” said Monteiro. “The car felt great…so I’m over the moon really, to start the project like this, it’s brilliant for the future. It’s a brand new baby, a brand new project, and so much still to do.”