Honda Civic Type R is on a roll in breaking lap records

Since its launch, Honda has been on a mission to prove that the Civic Type R is the fastest car in its class by breaking lap records at legendary race tracks. With this, the Japanese brand’s performance hatchback claimed its latest victim – the Autódromo do Estoril in Portugal.

Related: Honda Civic Type R isn't done writing down its own history yet

Officially known as Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, this historic race track is 4.182 km long and has 13 turns. The Civic Type R driven by Honda WTCR driver Tiago Monteiro was able to go around the circuit in just 2:01.82. According to fastestlaps.com, this smashed the previous front-wheel-drive production car record by 2.26 seconds held by the previous generation Civic Type R.

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.

Tiago Monteiro
Honda WTCR driver

Watch the record-breaking hot lap of Tiago Monteiro on the video below.

With Magny Cours, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, and Estoril now in the bag (not including Nürburgring), Honda still has one more to complete its Type R Challenge – the Hungaroring in Hungary. Driving for the final challenge will be 2009 F1 Driver’s Champion Jenson Button.

Will Honda be able to break the lap record at Hungaroring? Considering the capabilities of the Civic Type R and the motorsport experience of Button, the chances they will complete the challenge is high.