Tiago Monteiro back behind the wheel at Suzuka

It had been 415 days since his testing accident in Barcelona in September 2017 that Tiago monteiro had no longer competed in Touring events, he who defends the colors of Honda.

The Portuguese will return to the circuits from October 26 to 28, at Suzuka in Japan, for the penultimate round of the 2018 WTCR championship. Monteiro will drive the Boutsen Ginion Racing Honda Civic.

“It's hard to say how good it is to be back, comments the former pilot F1. There were times when things seemed quite bleak, but I never gave up hope that this day would come and that kept me determined to push harder than ever to come back.

Coming to races all year and watching others do what I should be doing destroyed me inside. So I think the Suzuka round is going to be full of emotions.

The fact that I am returning to Honda's home circuit – where I made my first WTCC start in 2012 – is also very special and a great way to pay tribute to the confidence and support they have placed in me. testified throughout my convalescence period. »

Monteiro admitted last June that he was primarily aiming for a return to competition in 2019.