Monteiro will race alongside Oriola (behind) under the Tuenti banner - Photo Credit: fiawtcc.com
Tiago Monteiro has announced his continued participation in the World Touring Car Championship, remaining with the Sunred team under the Tuenti Racing Team banner alongside Pepe Oriola.
It will be the Portuguese driver's sixth successive season piloting a SEAT Leon in the WTCC, and his third with the Sunred team. He will race under the banner of Oriola's sponsor – Spanish social networking site Tuenti.
His car will be powered by SEAT's new 1.6 litre turbocharged engine, rather than the Sunred-developed unit that suffered from reliability issues and hampered Monteiro's 2011 campaign.
“I am very pleased to be renewing my contract with SEAT Tuenti Racing Team,” said Monteiro. “It's an extension that is pretty obvious from a competitive and commercial standpoint. The brand is increasingly committed to the championship and the best proof of that is that the improvements made to the car this year are significant: a new engine and several major technical developments.”
Monteiro hopes to take part in a test at Imola prior to the WTCC season opener at Monza next weekend.
“I can’t wait to get back to competition in the strictest sense,” he said. “Next week, the Imola tests will be very important for preparing for the start of the season. These tests will be brief but no stone will be left unturned. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to my participation in the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship and who continue to believe in my potential and above all in my professionalism.”
Spanish teenager Oriola made his WTCC debut last season with Sunred, scoring five points finishes.
