'Happy to be back' - Fabrizio Giovanardi talks about his BTCC return

2007 and 2008 BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi will make his long awaited return to the series this season driving a Ford Focus ST NGTC for Motorbase.

Despite winning the first two races of the 2010 season, the Italian hasn't been in the championship since and has divided his time between GT racing and the now-defunct Superstars series in his home country where he was a race winner.

Since he was last in Britain, the BTCC has adopted the Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) specification, something Giovanardi describes as 'completely different' to his race winning Vauxhall Vectra of days gone by, and something he is still getting used to:

"Nothing compares. It feels better. It's completely different, the reaction was completely different so what I was doing for the Super 2000 doesn't work on this"

Giovanardi will be driving alongside Mat Jackson, who enters his fifth season with the Motorbase outfit, his second full year campaigning NGTC machinery. However, Giovanardi has been carrying out the majority of the testing, with Jackson only being confirmed at the last minute during the official media day at a wet Donington park yesterday.

"I'm still looking for the best performance that I can have from the car." He said after the rain disrupted day of running at Donington. "I'm learning. I've never drove this car before so it's quite strange."

Full Fabrizio Giovanardi Interview

Dominik Wilde: It's been a while since you were last in the British Touring Car Championship, what have you been up to since you were last over here?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: Long distance racing with the GT, twice 24 Nurburgring and some racing in Superstars.

Dominik Wilde: What's it like to be back? Are you happy to be back here?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: For sure! If not I'd stay at home! No, no it's okay, I'm happy. Obviously I'm still looking for the best performance that I can have from the car. I'm learning. I've never drove this car before so it's quite strange.

Dominik Wilde: How does it compare to the S2000 car that you drove before?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: Nothing compares. It feels better. It's completely different, the reaction was completely different so what I was doing for the Super 2000 doesn't work on this.

Dominik Wilde: So you've had to adapt your driving style as well?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: You have to adapt your style and the car has to be adapted to your style if it's possible.

Dominik Wilde: Are you ready for the new season then?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: Good question! (laughs) We'll see in a couple of weeks

Dominik Wilde: You're one of seven champions on the grid, can you win it again?

Fabrizio Giovanardi: (Laughs) I'm here for that, like the other guys. We'll see.