Giovanardi unsure on WTCC future

Giovanardi drove for Alfa Romeo in the series last season, however the Italian manufacturer has pulled out their works support this year, saying that there was little point in racing their 156 model when its road going version was out of production.

It is likely that a privateer bid using last year's Alfas will be put together and Giovanardi, Augusto Farfus Jr and former Grand Prix driver Mika Salo have all been linked with a two-car effort. Giovanardi carried out tyre testing in an Alfa Romeo towards the end of last year.

Alfa Romeo is expected to re-enter the series in 2007 with the 159 model, and a 2006 works-backed privateer programme would ease its way back into the sport.

Giovanardi has signed to lead Vauxhall's British Touring Car Championship attack, and he admitted that his new team would allow him to enter WTCC races when his BTCC commitments allow.

However, he says that no decision has been yet been taken on the WTCC and he would rather focus on securing the BTCC title with Vauxhall.

"It is difficult because they just talk about do the World Touring Cars with a private team, but it is not a private team because it is the same," Giovanardi told autosport.com. "And someone says there will be drivers in one car, and that's me and Mika Salo with maybe six races for me and four for him, but I don't know really.

"I did time with Alfa Romeo, tyre testing before Christmas but I was just finishing my job with the team. But yeah, I would be allowed to race in some WTCC races by Vauxhall.

"But I don't know yet and I want to be concentrating on the British championship. I need to learn English and the BTCC. It is a great series. I have tried before to come in the BTCC.

"I have spent a lot of time with Italian teams and it could be a really good choice for me to be with an English team in an English championship."