FIA INTERNATIONAL FORMULA 3000

ROUND 10 - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Tiago Monteiro had a good start claiming two places to move up from tenth on the grid but then dropped back to eleven on lap three.   After getting back up to tenth he began challenging Patrick Friesacher for ninth position but after a long battle he hit into the back of him on lap 24 destroying the nose on his car.  He had to pit and when he rejoined the field was a lap down.  He eventually finished the race in fourteenth position.

Tiago Monteiro P14: “I got a good start and gained two places then on the second lap Ricardo Sperafico knocked me out at the sidepod and I lost two places again which I was annoyed about.  Then I was stuck behind Friesacher.  We were a lot faster than him, but he was driving well and the only opportunity you get here to overtake is if the person in front makes a mistake.  Eventually I locked my wheel and crashed into him, destroying my front wing so I had to pit and was a lap behind after that.  But I had a good fighting race, the car was good and I felt quite confident at pushing hard.  Overall I think I overtook five or six drivers but it is a shame to end the weekend like this.  But we’re a lot better on the pace now so I am looking forward to Spa.”

Team Manager – David Sears " Tiago Monteiro was unlucky in the race to clip the back of Friesacher's car who was ultimately holding him up.  Tiago is now demonstrating his true potential in the second half of the season and hopefully will be in the top six at Spa at the end of the month.”

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