The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve hosted two free practice sessions and qualifying yesterday for the Portuguese leg of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Tiago Monteiro secured himself the 8th and 3rd positions on the starting grid for the two races which take place tomorrow.

The SEAT SunRed driver, who is racing before his home audience, already had one win in Portimão in 2010, but this year his objective is to secure points and reward his fans with a good show. Qualifying was very competitive and the final result was promising. "My lap was not perfect, the car was hard to drive and the track was very slippery," explained Tiago Monteiro. "I think that it would have been possible to secure a better position, but we can be satisfied with this result."

The driver of the SEAT Leon #18 car thinks that the scenario will be different come race time. "Qualifying is one thing, we do a fast lap with new tyres, and the race is another thing entirely. Tyre degradation will play a key role in the final result" Tiago Monteiro analyzed, "Unfortunately, with our engine we don't have the best acceleration on this circuit, which is very demanding, where there are many fast corners, but we will do our best."

When asked about the possibility of another win at Portimão, the Portuguese driver admitted, "Nothing is impossible because anything can happen in auto racing, but I have to be realistic. In 2010 my car's competitiveness was different. Today, my objective will have to be to have two good races and finish in the points, and put on a good show for the fans."