Fabrizio Giovanardi has hit the track for the first time since he clinched the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in dramatic style at Thruxton earlier this month.

The VX Racing man was able to take to the track at Silverstone with the #1 proudly adorning the door of his VX Racing Vectra for a day of running on Friday as he kicked off preparations for the defence of his title.

It marked the second time in little more than a week that the Triple Eight run squad has tested at Silverstone – which will return to the BTCC calendar next season – with double champion Matt Neal having had his first taste of the car he will drive next season in a test a week earlier.