Okayama: Tiago Monteiro qualifying report

Tiago Monteiro on row 4 in Okayama

SEAT Sport in good position for title fight

Tiago Monteiro played a determining role in the strategy of SEAT Sport on Saturday for the penultimate round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Portuguese driver qualified for the last phase of the session along with his four teammates at SEAT Sport and secured the 8th best time, just 45 hundredths shy of pole position.

Tiago realizes that he had to pass up his personal ambitions in favour of the collective interest of the team in what is such a crucial phase of the championship in regard to both the 2009 driver and manufacturers crowns. "We found good pace and we could have moved into the top 5 but my duty was to help the other drivers in the team who can still clinch the title and therefore I did not do the lap behind the other cars in order to benefit from the tow. Nevertheless, the balance of the Leon TDI is very good and we will be in a comfortable position at the start on a track which better suits BMW," Tiago said.

SEAT Sport's strategy helped Gabriele Tarquini secure pole position and Yvan Muller clock the 7th fastest lap of the qualifying session. Meanwhile, there is a high probability of rain showers for Sunday's races.

The two rounds of the Japanese event will be broadcasted live on Eurosport, Sunday November 1st at 4:30 AM and 6:45 AM (UK Time).

-credit: tiagomonteiro.com