Fabrizio Giovanardi completes first BTCC test of 2014 return
Former British Touring Car champion Fabrizio Giovanardi is positive about his return to the series after driving an NGTC machine for the first time
The 2007-2008 champion will race for Motorbase on his series comeback this year and drove one of the team's Ford Focuses at Brands Hatch today.
The 47-year-old completed a number of installation laps in the damp in the morning before conducting longer runs in the afternoon.
"People have said these cars can be difficult to drive but I didn't really find that," said Giovanardi. "Today was fine, it was good to be out there.
"In my mind it doesn't matter, a car is a car and I have to understand how it works and see what I can do to improve it.
"The Indy circuit is a tough circuit and a difficult one to judge progress on a day like today but the car has run well."
Giovanardi nevertheless remains cautious about his chances of battling for wins straight away.
"I come here to fight at the front but we don't know yet, which is why we need to work," he added.
Team boss David Bartrum, who has yet to confirm Motorbase's other 2014 drivers for its fleet of revamped Fords, said: "Today was all about Fabrizio getting comfortable in the car.
"He's getting used to the feel, gearchanges, seating position, pedals, everything. We want to be able to provide him with a fast and comfortable car, and then he'll go out and do the job for us, as his attention to detail is second to none.
"We've used the 2013 car today and the new car will look a bit different. We hope to be in the 2014 car next week, which is when the real work will begin.
"We will wait to assess Gio's feedback before taking that forward to the new car."
Previous article
Ginetta champion Tom Ingram gets Speedworks Toyota BTCC chance
Next article
BTCC rookie Tom Ingram eyes top 10 after first NGTC test
About this article
| Series | BTCC |
| Teams | BTC Racing |
| Author | Kevin Turner |
The rollercoaster ride of West Surrey Racing's 40 years
It’s four decades since one of UK motorsport’s most successful teams made its debut at Silverstone in British Formula 3. Now it’s top dog in the BTCC, time to blow out some candles with boss Dick Bennetts
Why the BTCC elite should fear Shedden's return
OPINION: The British Touring Car Championship Lord taketh away Dan Cammish, then giveth Gordon Shedden. That means substituting what would have been a future champion with an all-time series great with a point to prove on his return
The tin-top veteran turned policeman hangs up his helmet
Jeff Allam had a long and successful touring car career, and was a highly regarded works driver for Rover and Vauxhall. Then he spent his weekends policing his successors… Time to look back at a BTCC life spanning almost 45 years
The BTCC Brexit that's thrived for a decade
It won't be long until the current BTCC rules become the longest-lasting the series has ever had. The NGTC regulations are due to celebrate their tenth birthday this year and while not totally perfect for everyone, have been a huge success
The top 10 BTCC drivers of 2020
The 2020 British Touring Car Championship will go down as a classic in which new winners graced the top step of the podium and an unloved chassis was resurrected into a champion. But who were the year's top performers?
The Villeneuve-esque 'engineer's dream' who lit up BTCC 2020
The Infiniti Q50 was completely redesigned, redeveloped and revamped by BMR and Laser Tools Racing for 2020. And the flamboyant brilliance of the driver behind the wheel was enough to snatch the title at the last gasp
The BMW game-changer that monopolised the tin-top world
The rival Ford RS500 was more spectacular and almost claimed its place as Autosport's greatest touring car. But the original BMW M3 E30 was too good and too important to be ignored, as its drivers explain
Turkington meets Rouse: The BTCC's greatest in conversation
The two four-time British Touring Car champions discovered they had far more in common than they realised when Autosport brought them together to discuss all things tin-top for its 70th anniversary special earlier this year
