The new Honda Civic Type R (FK8) is continuing to set records on race tracks across Europe, the latest being the Estoril circuit in Portugal. This is the fourth stop of the Type R Challenge 2018, after the Silverstone GP circuit in the United Kingdom, Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium as well as the Magny-Cours GP circuit in France.
Related: Honda Civic Type R Breaks Silverstone Lap Record
The man behind setting the new front-wheel drive (FWD) record at Estoril is Honda WTCR driver, Tiago Monteiro, who took just 2 minutes 01.84 seconds to lap the 4.2 km long track which features two hairpins, a long main straight and a tricky chicane.
As a comparison, the predecessor, Type R (FK2), recorded a time of 2 minutes 04.08 seconds at the same track with Bruno Correia at the wheel in 2016.
Related: Honda Civic Type R is the Fastest Front-Wheel-Drive Car at Magny-Cours
Commenting on the achievement, Tiago Monteiro said:
“We came here with a goal to beat the existing lap record set by the previous car but you can never take anything for granted – I mean it’s a lap record so it’s no easy feat. You have to have supreme confidence in the car to attack around Estoril, and the new Type R is just so powerful, smooth and confidence-inspiring. We beat the lap record, smashed the record actually.
The Type R is very stable and has very good braking efficiency and an amazing engine so it just feels like you are driving a race car – on the track it’s easy to forget that it’s a proper road car, but then you can drive it home. The new Type R is a big evolution. I mean we’re talking about a totally different car in terms of design, aero, suspension, geometries, engine, but more than anything the feeling of driving the car.”
The Civic Type R firmly remains the benchmark of Honda and its motorsport heritage. The Japanese automaker aims to break more lap records at various other circuits in future.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
