Tiago Monteiro finished his Motegi race weekend in the most perfect way possible: a victory secured with art and style on Honda's home ground as the FIA World Touring Car Championship, WTCC, resumed after the summer break.

The driver of the Honda Civic # 18 made an excellent start from third on the grid which allowed him to get out ahead at the first corner. Subsequently, he pulled out a gap over his rivals and was never challenged and he crossed the finish line with a 10 second lead over his nearest pursuer.

Earlier in the day, the Portuguese driver had already ignited the Japanese crowd by producing a stunning comeback from last place on the grid after he was demoted for changing his engine during the previous race weekend. From the back of the grid to 9th in race one then 3rd to victory in the second, Tiago was unable to hide his delight at the end of such an emotional weekend. "I have no words to describe how I feel. I dedicate this result to Honda, this fantastic crowd that I could hear screaming from inside the car, JAS Motorsport and my family," said Tiago, "After the bad luck I have experienced, particularly in Vila Real, this is the best result I could have ever expected, the best way to bounce back."

Tiago, starting from both the bottom and the top of the grid, the two races had two very different scenarios. The Portuguese driver enjoyed the fight in both of them. "In the first race, I had to get into the points and I had to fight and take some risks, but the rewards were worth the effort. I was very focused in the second race because I knew that the start would be crucial. I did not let myself be intimidated by my opponents, I put my head down and the car was fantastic to drive. I was able to get the full potential and this second victory has a special flavor to it because we are at Honda's home. The weekend did not start out very well, but it has ended in the most beautiful way," concluded Tiago.

 The next round of the FIA WTCC will take place in China on September 27.