Tiago Monteiro

Tiago Vagaroso da Costa Monteiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [tiˈaɣu mõˈtɐjɾu]; born 24 July 1976) is a Portuguese racing driver who competed in Formula One from 2005 to 2006, and World Touring Car from 2007 to 2022. Born and raised in Porto, Monteiro began his racing career in 1997, winning several races in the Porsche Carrera Cup France. He advanced to French Formula Three the following year, claiming runner-up in 2000—where he finished second in the Pau Grand Prix—and 2001. After full seasons in International F3000 and Champ Car, he finished runner-up to Heikki Kovalainen in the World Series by Nissan with Carlin. A former member of the RF1 Driver Programme, Monteiro signed for Jordan in 2005, debuting in Formula One at the Australian Grand Prix alongside Narain Karthikeyan; in his rookie season, he became the first Portuguese driver to achieve a podium finish with third at the controversial United States Grand Prix. He retained his position at the re-branded Midland in 2006 with Christijan Albers, scoring zero points in the M16 with a season-best ninth in Hungary. Replaced by Adrian Sutil at Spyker, Monteiro departed Formula One with one podium and seven championship points. Monteiro joined SEAT in the World Touring Car Championship in 2007, remaining with them until 2012 as he claimed several victories across his 2008 and 2010 campaigns. He switched to Honda late that year, helping them win the World Manufacturers' Championship in 2013 and achieving his highest championship finish of third to José María López and Yvan Muller in 2016. He led the standings after 12 races in 2017 before serious injuries sustained in a testing crash ended his season. He returned full-time to the re-branded World Touring Car Cup in 2019, where he achieved victory in his home race. He contested the final three seasons of...