Neal tests for Vauxhall

The 40-year-old Briton, who won the title for his father Steve's Team Dynamics Honda squad in 2005 and 2006, has switched allegiances since the season came to an end.

And he had his first taste of the Vectra that powered new team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi to this year's title, at Silverstone, where he focused on familiarising himself with the car.

"It's been going great today! The Vauxhall Vectra is quite different to what I'm used to, but the car has some very strong features," said Neal after his first day of running came to an end.

"It's just a nice all-round package; the engine especially is excellent. It's very good on the fast straights and I think we will be looking very good for next year.

"It's exciting to work with a new team. There are many new faces but also old colleagues, which is nice and everyone has been really friendly and helpful."

Also testing at Silverstone was 18-year-old Andrew Jordan, who was having his first run in a BTCC car in the ex-Neal Honda Integra that he will race alongside his father Mike in the Eurotech squad next year.

Rookie Jordan has five more days planned in the car before Christmas in a bid to get him up to race pace.