Having hit the track with the #1 adorning his door for the first time at Silverstone last week, new Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi has continued to wrack-up the miles after three-days of further running at Pembrey.

The Italian, who came out on top of a titanic battle with Jason Plato to lift the BTCC title for the first time, spent the test in Wales focusing on a series of set-up changes to the Vectra with the team having elected not to try anything too radical during the season for fear of it having a negative effect on the championship battle.

“I said during the year that the car could still be developed to be even better,” he said. “But we had no time in the championship to explore. We were in the fight from beginning to end. The changes they have made so far are not big but I am happy; it is a very positive step.

“We have finished the championship very late. It's better to run in England before we have winter.

“Last year we went to Spain during the winter; the weather is good but the circuit is completely different so the feedback is different. We decided to make a few tries in England before Spain this year to modify the car.”

Giovanardi added that he was proud to finally have the #1 on the side of his car, but said it was important for the team not to rest on its laurels if he is to retain it next season.

“I was obviously happy to see the number one!” he said. “But the team and myself are already fully focused on next year. Only if we put 100 per cent into the winter testing now will we be number one again next year, and this is our aim!”