Giovanardi not worried by poor start

The Vauxhall driver, who has won the championship for the past two years, finished second in race one, but a puncture caused by a stone cutting his left front tyre dropped him to 16th in race two.

A retirement in race three due to damage sustained as he drove off the road at Graham Hill Bend to avoid the spinning car of Rob Collard left Giovanardi with just 12 points from the season opener.

But with nine rounds remaining and a possible 468 points still up for grabs, the Italian is not planning to panic just yet.

"The weekend started well but sometimes it happens," Giovanardi said. "I was involved in an accident that wasn't my fault at all. I tried to continue but the car wasn't right.

"Sure, we have few points, but it's only the first weekend and there's a long way to go, so I'm not worried."

Giovanardi's Vauxhall team-mate Matt Neal finished on the podium in all three races - taking one victory in the process - to leave himself at the head of the championship, 26 points ahead of the Italian.