The Chinese FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) weekend proved to be one of the most complicated ones for SEAT, Sun-Red, and their drivers. Shanghai's Tianma circuit, which the FIA WTCC was visiting for the first time in its history, did not enable the SEAT Leon 1.6 Liter Turbo to get the most out of its potential. Its torque and traction were not its strong points in China. Despite everything, after two remarkable qualifying sessions putting him in 8th and 5th positions, Tiago Monteiro secured points for 8th place in the first race, where he was the best representative of SEAT Sun-Red.
When the lights went out, Tiago was able to conserve his 8th position and avoid the pitfall of collisions in the first tight hairpin on the Tianma circuit. He crossed the finish line in the same position at the cost of an exceptional effort. "Tyre wear was so bad that it was very difficult to withstand the pressure of the BMWs, who could attack very hard throughout the entire race," Tiago explained. "I wanted to make sure I finished the race and I didn't take any risks during overtaking maneuvers. It was very important to secure a few points."
Although the start of the first race was very calm, the second race began with a series of collisions. One of them forced Tiago out after less than a kilometer. "I started well but I quickly got a flat, probably because of the low tyre pressure we had chosen in the hopes of minimizing tyre degradation. This flat probably prevented me from slowing the car properly in the third corner and I touched a competitor. I was standing on the brakes, but it was not enough," said Tiago regretfully.
"I had to go back to the pits, where we took the collective decision to abandon the race. It's too bad, because by starting in 5th I hoped to add a few points to my total. But I am not giving up, I am immune to every possible and imaginable incident! I can't wait to drive at Macau, where we should be strong in qualifying. We will do everything we can to secure the results we deserve and which have escaped us the past several races."
The finale of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will take place in Macau, November 17-20.
