Giovanardi focused on title defence

The Italian won this year's title after a season-long battle with SEAT's Jason Plato, and the new champion has already turned his attention to 2008 by starting a winter test programme, with the number one on his car.

"I was obviously happy to see the number one," said Giovanardi. "But the team and myself are already fully focused on next year.

"Only if we put 100 per cent into the winter testing now will we be number one again next year, and this is our aim."

The 40-year-old added that he believes the Vectra package is already stronger than it was at the end of the season.

"I said during the year that the car could still be developed to be even better, but we had no time in the championship to explore," he said.

"The changes they have made so far are not big but I am happy, it is a very positive step."

Vauxhall have opted to start their test programme in Britain this year, rather than heading for Spain, where the weather is favourable, but the circuits have different features.

"We have finished the championship very late, so it's better to run in England before we have winter," said the champion.

"Last year we went to Spain during the winter. The weather is good but the circuit is completely different so the feedback is different."