FIA World Touring Car Championship title contender Tiago Monteiro has sadly been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s event in Macau on medical advice.
The Portuguese driver – who lies fourth in the Drivers’ Championship and has led more laps than any other driver this year – has missed the past two rounds in China and Japan owing to the effects of a high-speed testing incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in September.
Following further examinations in Portugal, doctors have informed Tiago that his body needs additional time to recover fully, meaning he will be unable to defend his Macau Guia Race title.
Argentinian driver Esteban Guerrieri, who raced for Honda in Japan last time out and took a superb podium finish on his debut with the team, will continue to deputise for Tiago in Macau.
Tiago Monteiro 18
“I’m extremely disappointed to have to miss the chance to continue my fight for the WTCC crown and defend my Guia Race title. Macau is one of the most challenging circuits in the world and one I love racing on. I feel ready to return and I’ve been able to increase my training so it’s now at virtually the same level as before the accident. Unfortunately, despite this, the risk of a second impact on my body is still too great and I need to wait a little while longer before I’m fully healed. I cannot even begin to explain how it makes me feel to see my title ambitions slipping away. All I can do is continue to train hard and aim to return in Qatar to help Honda’s title ambitions.”
- Casol Honda WTCC