Monteiro Completes Kolles Lineup for 24H Le Mans

Photo: FIA WTCC

World Touring Car Championship front-runner Tiago Monteiro has completed ByKolles Racing’s lineup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Monteiro, who spent two seasons in Formula One, will join Simon Trummer and Pierre Kaffer at the wheel of the team’s CLM P1/01 AER for the French endurance classic.

“I’s an honor to be asked and I’m very grateful to Honda for temporarily releasing me from my [WTCC] obligations so that I can participate,” he said.

“I’ve competed in the race multiple times in the past and I love the event. I know the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I’m confident that we will make the most of the race.

“Most of all I’m looking forward to testing in the car ahead of the race, we want to be as prepared as possible before the big day.”

The Portuguese driver made four previous starts at Le Mans, the last coming in 2011 at the wheel of an OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd in LMP1.

Monteiro effectively replaces Christian Klien, who had been a late addition to the lineup for the opening two rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Vitantonio Liuzzi also took part at Silverstone and Spa for the Austrian-badged team, filling in for Pierre Kaffer, who had other commitments for both races.

“We have worked with Tiago in the past so we know what he is capable of, he will work really well with Simon and Pierre and we’re happy to have him on board,” said ByKolles Racing director of operations Boris Bermes.

“We have lots of work to do over the coming weeks but we have a clear plan which involves making some further updates to the car following Spa and we will make the most of the testing ahead of the race in Le Mans to be as prepared as possible.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John