Tiago Monteiro has hit out at BMW driver Jorg Muller for the incident that put him out of the second race of the World Touring Car Championship weekend at Okayama.

Monteiro had picked up a seventh place finish in the opening race of the weekend in treacherous wet conditions, which put him on the front row of the grid for the second race – also held in heavy rain at the Japanese circuit.

However, at the start of the race, Muller attempted to go down the inside into turn one and put two wheels onto the grass, losing control of his BMW and slamming into the Portuguese driver, putting Monteiro into the gravel and out of the race.

"I can't understand that such an experienced driver tried, as soon as at the first turn, a manoeuvre which obviously couldn't work, especially in a race where it's pouring and where you can expect a million things to happen between the start and finish!" he said. "This attempt was useless and stupid and it prevented me from getting a good result because the SEAT Leon TDi was very strong in the wet and I was planning not only to help SEAT Sport secure some good points that would have been precious for both championships, but also to climb into eighth position in the drivers' championship as I was only needed three points to do that.

“The positive side of the weekend is that SEAT Sport leaves Okayama leading both championships even though the track suited BMW better. I hope that in Macau I'll have the opportunity to end the season on a high and that no impatient and impetuous driver will break my car in two..."