After a qualifying lap that was remarkable on all points, Tiago Monteiro drove a great race on the Nürburgring circuit, “the one that has given me the most pleasure since the start of the year," the Jordan driver emphasized at the finish line of the Grand Prix of Europe. Once again, the Jordan driver reached the finish line for the seventh time in seven races— and basically dominated his teammate from when the lights went out until the chequered flag waved.
Despite a race strategy involving a heavy fuel-load, Tiago had a good start, avoided the chaos at the first turn and quickly positioned himself in front of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, to whom he offered an exemplary resistance.
“I had planned on taking an outside path in the first corner, but I quickly changed my mind when I saw the massive confusion. I seized the opportunity to overtake on the inside and I found myself in 10th, in front of Michael Schumacher, until he passed me in the 6th lap. It really was a great race, the most exciting of the season. The fighting with Jacques Villeneuve and Narain was very interesting and lasted for several laps. I loved that part! Unfortunately I lost contact with Jacques during my first pit stop, when we took on a lot of gas.”
Alas, two laps after his pit stop, Tiago had to return in order to comply with a drive through penalty levied for “non-compliance with blue flags.”
“Honestly I thought this penalty was odd!” said an upset Tiago who is a model for fair play on the track. “It was, in my opinion, unfair, because I didn’t slow Heidfeld down. I think that the commissioners went too far!”
Tiago then had to make up for lost time after the race commissioner’s bombshell fell.
“I attacked, the car was very good and I had confidence. All of a sudden, I saw a yellow car in front of me and I stepped up my efforts to overtake it. Narain saw that I was faster than him and he made an error under the pressure, which let me pass him," explained Tiago, who ended up crossing the finish line 15th, ahead of his teammate. “It seems like everyone was watching my performances with Jordan Toyota. My car was efficient and it enabled me to attack, and the credit goes to the mechanics and the technicians who are working relentlessly to help the team move forward.”
