Fabrizio Giovanardi: “I’m only here to win”

Fabrizio Giovanardi has said he is only at Brands Hatch to win, as he sets out to claim a hattrick of BTCC titles this weekend. The reigning BTCC champion still believes he can unseat rival Colin Turkington at the top of the standings, but has admitted that Jason Plato is a “real threat” to his triple crown prospects.

“I still believe I can win the championship, I have to, I’m only here to win”, said the 2007 and 2008 BTCC champion, ahead of Vauxhall’s final appearance in the series for the foreseeable future.

“The last race at Rockingham didn’t go the way I wanted it to go and it’s left us having to make up a lot of ground at Brands Hatch. Colin is the biggest competitor in terms of points, as he has 13 points over me, and with the rear wheel drive BMW, he’ll definitely have the advantage off the line. Jason has the power and performance. The Chevrolet is quick and Jason has the experience of touring cars to be a real threat.

“The strategy for the weekend will be to just take each race as it comes. The practice sessions will be very important as I’ve only driven the GP circuit about 20 years ago and I’m sure many of the other drivers have more experience than me. The weather could also be a big factor, although ideally I’d like it to rain as our car works well in these conditions. I have no influence on that though, it will be whatever it will be!”

As well as marking Vauxhall’s final BTCC bow, Brands Hatch could also be Fabrizio’s final fling in the championship, with rumours linking him to a Chevrolet drive in the 2010 WTCC. For now though Giovanardi just wants to end 2009 on a high in front of his British fans, and the Italian is sure to want to avoid a situation which could see Plato usurp his second place in the standings, relegating him to third.

Bearing in mind the performance of Plato, in a then unfamiliar Lacetti, at the opening rounds of the season at Brands Hatch and the recent dominance of the Chevrolets and BMWs, Giovanardi looks likely to spend his weekend with one eye on each of his fellow title contenders.

On leaving the Kent circuit after the opening rounds of the season six months ago, Matt Neal was leading the way, and despite holding that championship lead until Croft midway through the season, the second half of the West Midlander’s season has disappointed. The 2005 and 2006 champion has picked up just one point from the last six races, ruling him out of the title race and into a support role for his Italian teammate, albeit one he struggled to step up to at Silverstone and Rockingham.

“The whole team are hoping for a good weekend”, commented Neal, “We really want to give Vauxhall a good send off. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Fabrizio to achieve his third straight driver’s title too, it’ll be tough, but I think he can do it.

“After a great start to the year, I’ve had some really tough race weekends of late, so I’ll be looking to Brands Hatch to end the season on a high, especially as this is the last race weekend for Vauxhall. Brands Hatch is a fantastic circuit and great for spectators. I’m really pleased we’re back racing on the GP circuit as well, it’s one of the best track layouts in the UK.”

Having narrowly missed out on what would have been his maiden BTCC victory at Rockingham two weeks ago, Andrew Jordan is determined to end his season on a high, by breaking his duck and helping Giovanardi to the title.

“I’m going there with the mindset to achieve a win”, said Jordan, “After leading at Rockingham I’m more determined than ever, but needless to say, I’ll also be there to support Fabrizio in the races.

“I think out of the last few circuits we have visited, the Vauxhall will suit this one the best with the nature of the corners on the Grand Prix layout, and after the boost we had at Rockingham, I’m feeling confident heading into this weekend.”

VX Racing remain in pole position to retain their Teams’ Championship, with a 58 point lead over nearest rivals Team RAC, while Vauxhall have mathematically clinched the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship, meaning regardless of the Driver’s Title outcome, the marque can exit the BTCC on a high.