Tiago Monteiro had a tough weekend on Germany's Oschersleben circuit, which was home this weekend to the 8th meeting of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Troubles for the SEAT Leon 1.6 liter turbo #18 car started during free practice when an engine problem compromised his and his team's work. Tiago was never able to drive at 100% or find the best set-up but nevertheless he qualified in the 10th and 2nd positions for the two races.

But Tiago's problems took the upper hand come race time. A competitor bumped into him during the start, which caused a flat tyre as well as damage to the car's rear wheel. The Portuguese driver was forced to withdraw from the race without getting a chance to try his hand, and experienced a second misadventure in the second race when his engine once again showed signs of weakness. Tiago fell in the rankings without being able to fight back on equal terms, but still managed to secure 4 points for 8th place. "It's an enormous feeling of helplessness," he summarized, "Sun-Red had found a solution to our problems, but other ones came up. Our task was complicated and unfortunately I lost points which would have been very valuable in both championships. For now, the second half of the championship is incredibly disappointing and I can't do anything about it, but I hope that the new engine I will have in Valencia, for the next races, will be the start of a return to form for my car."

On the subject of his two Oschersleben races, Tiago simply explained, "A rival bumped into me pretty hard during the start of the first race, and in the second one my engine gradually lost power, and therefore positions."

The next World Touring Car Championship races will take place September 3 and 4 on Spain's Valencia circuit, where Tiago had a brilliant win in 2010.