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Gio and Chilton back at VX

Vauxhall is sticking with its current driver line-up for the 2007 season

Auto Express Car Reviews

Drivers Chilton (left) and Giovanardi stay on, but Astra set to be replaced

24th November 2006

To provide some much needed stability, Italian tin-top star Fabrizio Giovanardi and promising British youngster Tom Chilton will return to spearhead the VX Racing attack.

“One of the main things we felt we missed this year was continuity,” admitted race squad boss Ian Harrison. “Fabrizio, in particular, has had to adapt to everything.

“If it wasn’t the food, it was the language; he had to buy a satellite navigation system simply to find his way from the airport to the circuits!

“Yet despite all that, he was right on the money in the last three races – which was when he scored nearly half his points.” Giovanardi confirmed: “Now, my mind will be on the car, and not on the language or the circuits.”

The Italian brought the now axed Astra Sport Hatch its only two victories during 2006, and added: “I have gelled with the team. We work really well. That’s why I have signed again.” Having confirmed its driver line-up, Vauxhall will reveal a new, Vectra-based 2007 racer at the Autosport show at Birmingham’s NEC in January.