RFM Front Page News

VANCOUVER, CANADA (November 18, 2003) -- Tiago Monteiro finishes his rookie season with Fittipaldi-Dingman Racing at 15th in the standings – but don’t let that fool you. This personable young man is a really nice surprise. He’s talented, and he’s got a rich racing background. Emerson knew what he was doing when he signed him on. I had fully intended to sit down with Tiago in Fontana for our last interview, but Mother Nature had other plans. Tiago was kind enough to do an internet Q & A for RFM.

Margot Orenchuk: You have just completed your first full year in CHAMP cars. So, how can you describe the ride? Was it everything you thought it would be?

Tiago Monterio: No it wasn’t actually ! And for most of it, it was a lot better ! I had so much fun and I learned so much ! It was really and enlightening season.

MO: What was the one most disappointing thing you discovered (about driving in the CART series) this year?

TM: The frustration of some technical problems… But I guess it’s on any racing series…

MO: How much of a toll did this series take on your personal life?

TM: A lot actually. I was kind of expecting it, but it was quite radical… You have to dedicate yourself 120% to it if you want to be competitive; so all the rest has to come second. Lots of traveling, and especially far away from home, family and friends. I was lucky to have my girlfriend and Father on a few events though.

MO: How close is the team in adding that second car you mentioned in our interview in Vancouver?

TM: I think they are pretty close. I know they are working hard on it, and we all know it would be such a benefit for all of us.

MO: Are there any plans to switch to the Lola chassis?

TM: Yes plenty… It’s one of Emerson and Jamie main focus for next year. Obviously mine as well. We are not there to be a number on the grid. We want to fight at the top every single weekend.

MO: Now you have been to just about every track (except Fontana) Have you figured out which type now is your favorite type to drive?

TM: I always loved street tracks, and now I can confirm it. I adapt myself pretty quickly to tricky situations that a street track will often put you into. I like the ovals though! Good experience!

MO: Obviously, you did fantastic in Mexico City. What was so special for you there? Tell me about the pass.

TM: Mexico was great for the whole team! My favorite track and the one where I always did well is SPA. And Mexico has some close characteristics. Then Don Bricker and I really improved the car throughout the week end and we had a great balance ! So I could really push it and use it to the limit.

The pass was great ! I was inspired and confident I could do it. But honestly I had some other great passes during the season, but obviously this one being up front was more talked about J

MO: Of all the rookies this year, you have been the quiet one. Now, when I say that, I mean you haven’t really been involved in much controversy. You have pretty much kept your “nose clean” as it were, not done anything really stupid. Do you credit your great owner with his mentoring, or is it what I have seen, just a really classy young racer trying to do his job?

TM: I’m glad you say that cause some people don’t have the same opinion… J
Obviously I committed a mistake on Tagliani at Vancouver and on Hunter Reay in Montreal, but apart from that yes it has been pretty cool. Emerson definitely taught me a lot in how to focus and being calm in every circumstance. And since the beginning of my short (CART) career I have always tried to stay out of trouble and to do my job the best way I could.

MO: What are your plans for the off-season?

TM: Working with my sponsors as I haven’t spend much time with them in Europe during the season. Also, I want to see my friends and family. But never forget to keep up the physical training and actually increasing it as we don’t race so we need to compensate.

MO: Do you have a ride for 2004?

TM: I have a long term contract with FDR. But they have an option on me until the end of November. I am pretty confident we are going on together on this great adventure. My goal is to stay with Emerson and Jamie to be able to take the benefits from all the hard work off the first season! I’m happy there and they have a big potential.

MO: You drove a Viper at Le Mans. Do you miss driving in the sports car world?

TM: Yes I did Le Mans twice. In 1999 and 2001 and both times on Vipers. I love it and every year I try to do some GT races. I love those kinds of cars also but specially and love the 24h of Le Mans!

MO: What is the one question that you never get asked that you would like to be?

TM: In 6 years of racing I’ve been asked pretty much anything so far J

MO: What is the question you always get asked that you don’t want to answer?

TM: Do you think about danger and death… How did you get into it…

MO: What was the single most frustrating thing that happened to you this year?

TM: Gear box problems at some starts of races and not to be able to race in Cleveland after my shunt.

MO: Tell us about your team. The heroes behind the car. Who made your team tick?

TM: There was an amazing atmosphere in the team this year! Everybody was so motivated! They worked like crazy, really hard and had fun at the same time. I got along with every single one in the team. There were some very good elements, with huge potential and a lot of experience. Emerson with his experience and motivation also helped and pushed hard for this kind of situation and feeling in the team. Overall I am happy to have worked with this group of people. They taught me a lot!

MO: Do you have a superstition or a special ritual that you do before a race?

TM: Comparing to a lot of drivers, I am not that superstitious. But I have some little things that I don’t really want to talk about… it’s bad luck>>>J

MO: Is there anything that you do the night before a race?

TM: Yes… the night before I won my first F3 race my team mate had me drinking a glass of red wine. Now my father is happy to always remind me to drink a (single) glass of red wine the night before qualifying and race.

MO: What is your training regime?

TM: Basically, I’m a sports fan, so it’s not very difficult for me to do it. It’s based of running, spinning, swimming, biking and weight lifting. But I also use the jet ski, surfing and other sports for fun as training! I don’t have a very hard food diet, I am just really careful with what I eat, specially the week before the race.

MO: If there is anything YOU want to say, go for it!!

TM: I would like to thank the North American Press and the North American Fans I had this year for the amazing support, return, and friendship throughout the year!! It was a great experience and I don’t really want to go back racing in Europe!! See you all next year!