Tiago Monteiro on first Honda Civic TC1 test: ”I loved the car!”

Tiago Monteiro got his first taste of the new TC1 specification Honda Civic last week.
“I loved the car! It is completely different from the 2013 version. It is a pleasure to drive and I could immediately feel the increase in power, downforce and weight reduction,” said Monteiro.

JAS Motorsport tested the car at Motorland Aragon in Spain for four days last week with both Honda drivers Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini behind the wheel.
“We tested everything we needed to in this first session. The past four days have been very productive. We still have a lot of work to do, but this first outing with the Honda Civic 2014 was extremely interesting and promising,” said Monteiro.

The new TC1 regulations means more power, more downforce and lower weight, changes that has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism regarding the impact it will have on the racing in the WTCC. For Monteiro there are no doubts though.
”It will be a fun championship for everyone out on track, but also for the fans. The competition will be very tough and races will be hotly contested, I have no doubt about that at all,” said Monteiro.

The team has got six more test sessions planned ahead of the season start in Morocco on April 12-13th, meaning hard work to get the car ready.
”Developing the Honda Civic will be a huge challenge, and one that I’m looking forward to. It’s very nice, but also its more complex to get the most out of it,” said Monteiro.