Familiarity breeds content, says Menu

The Swiss driver was pipped by the Mercedes of Uwe Alzen and Marcel Fassler in a wet-dry qualifying session. But he says that the car's dry weather form is vastly improved after a month break in the calendar allowed the three teams running 2001-spec cars to learn more about them in testing. In Friday's free practice sessions, Menu was joined by 2000 DTM runner-up Manuel Reuter in the top six.

"Since the Norisring, we spent three days in Barcelona and two days at Oschersleben," said reigning BTCC champion Menu. "It's our first testing since the start of the season and it's made a big difference. Opel has done lots to the car and made it better since the start of the season, but the biggest difference is that we can finally understand and work out what makes it tick.

"Before the season, I had a day and a half to test with Opel Euroteam, so the break has been essential not just for getting to know the car, but for learning how to work with the team properly. We're still not quick enough - and I mean all the Opels - but we're getting there."

The break also allowed Opel Euroteam to cure a recurring brake problem that has intermittently dogged Menu's machine since the start of the season.

"We changed the whole system - everything," said Menu. "We still don't know what it was, and it took about two and a half days of the Barcelona test to sort it, but it's made a huge difference. If we'd not had the tests, we'd have had that problem until the end of the season."

A back-to-basics approach to race weekends by Opel Euroteam, plus an added guiding hand from the car's designer, Opel Performance Centre's Donatus Wichelhaus, have also netted improvements according to Menu.

"In the past we'd have a good day with the car, then we'd add some new parts and be back to square one," he explained. "This weekend, all we're doing is changing springs, dampers - the usual things - instead of taking the car apart.

"Donatus is keeping more of an eye on me two and that's great for the team, because it shows them that Opel is really behind us."

Opel's qualifying performance netted two other cars in the top 10, with Michael Bartels' Team Holzer car lining up sixth and Reuter taking eighth for Phoenix.