First Motorbase test for Fabrizio Giovanardi

Fabrizio Giovanardi marked his BTCC return with a first test for Motorbase Performance in mixed conditions at Brands Hatch.

The 2007 and 2008 champion carried out several installation laps in the damp early morning conditions before producing longer runs in the dry afternoon.

The team said the day was largely planned around Giovanardi’s introduction to NGTC machinery.

Giovanardi said: “Today was fine – it was good to be out there. People have said these cars can be difficult to drive but I didn’t really find that. In my mind it doesn’t matter – a car is a car and I have to understand how it works and see what I can do to improve it. The Indy circuit is a tough circuit and a difficult one to judge progress on a day like today but the car has run well.”

Motorbase team principal David Bartrum said: “Today was all about FG getting comfortable in the car. He’s getting used to the feel, gear changes, seating position, pedals… everything. We want to be able to provide him with a fast and comfortable car, and then he’ll go out and do the job for us, as his attention to detail is second to none.

“We’ve been able to make some aero changes and looked at every aspect of the car in order to improve it. We have another one-day test at Brands Hatch next week and then we’ll really start to crank it up with a few two-day runs at Snetterton and Oulton Park, before we come back here, and then of course we have the Media Day at Donington Park. We have six or seven test days in total, which is great.”