Tiago Monteiro still says he is angry after the incident in the second World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race in France, where championship leader José María López spun the Honda driver out of the race.
Monteiro was running in second in the reverse-grid second race, with fellow Honda driver Norbert Michelisz leading the race.
On lap seven, Citroën driver López looked to the outside of Monteiro at turn one, but the Portuguese driver defended his position and as the duo exited the corner, still side-by-side, contact was made, spinning Monteiro out of second.
The incident forced Monteiro to retire from the race with a broken left-rear wheel, leaving him feeling robbed of a potential podium finish.
“I had a good start, I gained a place and then, when I was in second, ‘Pechito’ López had an attitude that was not like him,” said Monteiro. “He knocked me off the circuit and prevented me from getting on the podium.”
Although the incident was investigated by the stewards after the race, no further action was taken as it was deemed to be a racing incident. López, who went on to win the race, later said that he felt no guilt whatsoever, blaming Monteiro for the incident – something which the Honda driver refutes.
“Of course I’m angry because even if he had been penalized, it would not have changed my result,” added Monteiro. “This podium was very important for the team and for me.
“I was really enjoying the race until the incident with López. My car had too much damage to continue so that was really frustrating because I had been running well with Norbi and was really hoping we’d fight to the end for a 1-2.
“I will now prepare to race at Vila Real. My motivation is greater than ever and it is better to move forward. I just hope that success will be on my side in Portugal.”