Tiago Monteiro has had a productive first test at the wheel of the Honda Civic which has been built by JAS Motorsport ahead of Honda’s entry into the World Touring Car Championship.

The Portuguese driver will race the Honda Civic WTCC in the final three events of the 2012 campaign ahead of a full campaign in 2013, and the first test at the Italian circuit of Vallelunga has a positive one for the former Formula 1 driver.

Monteiro didn’t take the wheel of the car during the first test but he didn’t miss out on any of the work which the team completed, and it gave him a chance to meet the Honda mechanics who had travelled to Italy for the maiden test.

“This is an important moment for me, but also for all of the Honda team. There were a lot of engineers from Mother company Honda, as well as technical structure from JAS Motorsport,” explained Monteiro, who will race with his normal #18 on the Civic.

“I was impressed by the professionalism and commitment from everyone.”

“It was a crucial test. We collected a lot of information that we will now analyze in depth before the next test days on the 27th and 28th of August in Slovakia,” says Monteiro.

“We have work to do, but we also have an excellent base,” concluded Tiago, who will race the Honda Civic 5P in Suzuka, Japan this October.

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• Two day Slovak test for Monteiro
• Honda confirms its 1.6T engine for WTCC
• Honda debut at ‘important’ Suzuka event