Tiago Monteiro targeting podium at home race in Porto

Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Tiago Monteiro heads to his home race at Porto this weekend chasing success at home, with a lighter Civic S2000 under him thanks to the latest ballast calculations, and chasing a podium result for his home fans.

The Boavista street circuit around the Portuguese city hosts its third World Touring Car Championship event this weekend, and Monteiro will be making his first appearance as a Honda driver at his home event, after he was competing with the less competitive SUNRED-powered SEAT at the Algarve last year.

“I’ve never won in Boavista, but my first goal is to take one of the top three spots for the first time in the Honda Civic on the Boavista circuit,” said Monteiro.

“Don’t underestimate our opponents potential, and the luck factor. Anything can happen on a street circuit and there are a variety of factors that must be met to have a good weekend.”

The Honda team shook down the two Civics for the last time on European soil in Italy last week, before the cars begin their long transit to Argentina for the next round of the Championship in August. The cars won’t return to base until after the season finale at Macau in November.

“I think we will be able to be at the forefront in qualifying and both races. I’m looking forward to getting the weekend started. Not only for me, but also because it is the first time Honda has raced on this circuit. My responsibilities are greater, but that is also a source of motivation.”