Brands win bigger than title for Neal

The reigning champion was expecting to struggle during the first meeting of the season, as he had spent hardly any time behind the wheel of the car pre-season.

"Our win with a car that has barely done a day's testing is a bigger shot in the arm than winning the title," he said.

"The relief inside the car when I crossed the line was something else."

Neal was also shocked to come away from the first weekend of the season in second place in the championship, and he believes that there is plenty more to come from the new car.

"To come away second in the championship is something nobody in the team expected," he added.

"It's a testament to all the early mornings and late hours everyone has worked to get this car ready in time and it's still only in it's early stages of development."

Neal is nine points behind his main rival and championship leader Jason Plato, and the SEAT driver believes that he is in for a tough year despite his two wins on Sunday.

"Those who said this was going to be a SEAT walkover can think again," he said. "The opposition is hot on our heels and at Rockingham they'll be even closer."