Giovanardi: I’ll soak up the pressure in ETCC

Giovanardi, who won the Euro STC title last year, has stuck with his works Nordauto Alfa Romeo squad for this season. The ex-F3000 racer thinks a repeat in the FIA-sanctioned, Eurosport-backed Super Touring series could be on the cards.

"Being under pressure has never worried me much," he said. "Whenever my nerves are on edge, I always get the best out of myself and get important results. For this reason, I hope 2001 will be intensely competitive."

His biggest competition could come from team mate Nicola Larini, the former F1 racer who finished second for Ferrari in the ill-fated San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

"My goals haven't changed, I'm ready to win," said Larini. "I think the team is in the right mood to repeat its results of last year."

Nordauto will run a third Alfa 156 for female racer Romana Bernardoni in the 10-round series, which includes rounds at Grand Prix venues Monza, Magny-Cours, Silverstone, A1-Ring and Nurburgring, beginning at Monza on April 1.

The team's main rival should again be the Honda Accord-equipped JAS Motorsport team, which has already signed Gabriele Tarquini and FIA Formula 3000 driver Fabrice Walfisch. It is also thought to be close to a deal with Stefano Bonello, who raced an Audi in Euro STC last season.

The Italian AGS Motorsport team will field at least two Audi A4 Quattros for Roberto Colciago and Massimo Pigoli, and could run a third car too.