Honda opt for strategic front row for race two in China

Tiago Monteiro will start on point for race two, provisionally, thanks to setting the tenth fastest time in qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit, where the 40kg of ballast-laden Honda Civic S2000 TCs seemed to lack the pace of the more developed Chevrolet Cruzes.

Monteiro will start from P1, assuming no problems in race one, with team-mate Gabriele Tarquini alongside for the standing start in race two, with the Portuguese driver almost half a second slower than his Q1 pace in the second part of qualifying, admitting that the reverse grid was the target today.

“It is difficult to actually play that game as you can get burned and miss the place but in the end today it worked OK,” said Monteiro, who only had to outpace the BMW of Franz Engstler in the second stage of qualifying, as the Volvo of Thed Björk wasn’t eligible to take part in Q2.

“Q1 was a perfect scenario for us where Gabriele and I could work together,” added Monteiro. “The shoot-out was always going to be difficult for us with the weight but I’m happy to be on pole position for a race this year. It will be great for the show tomorrow.”

Monteiro’s Honda team-mate Gabriele Tarquini added: “I was happy with Q1 but hoping for a little better time in Q2. When you drive in the slipstream you tend to overdrive the car and lose some time but overall I am very pleased with the balance of the Civic today. Everything we did in the testing proved to work and make the car better. We will have to manage the tyres carefully in the race because the surface is very abrasive.”