Two days of tests took place at the Monza circuit in preparation for the first event in the World Touring Car Championship, which will get underway at this circuit on 10th April 2005. All four official Alfa Romeo Racing Team drivers were present at the wheel of Alfa 156s: Gabriele Tarquini, Fabrizio Giovanardi, Augusto Farfus and James Thompson, each participated in the six scheduled test sessions. Young Brazilian driver Farfus distinguished himself with the best time (1'58.7" in Wednesday's second session), confirming his excellent feel for the Italian circuit where he won his first race with an Alfa Romeo in the 2003 European Championship. The second best time was again set by an Alfa Romeo driver, Gabriele Tarquini (1'59.0"), ahead of Dirk Muller's Bmw (1'59.3"). Only three tenths of a second behind him was James Thompson in the Alfa 156 (1'59.6"), who in turn finished a mere one tenth of a second in front of team mate Fabrizio Giovanardi (1'59.7"). For the Alfa Romeo Racing Team the focus was on an overall test of the cars, race simulation and brake tests, apart from overall fine-tuning of the set-up for the 10th April race.

The Scuderia Antonelli Sport team's private-entry Alfa Romeo 156s with drivers Salvatore Tavano and Andrea Larini performed excellently too, with times of 2'00.8" and 2'01.2" respectively.

The 15 drivers entered for the European Alfa Challenge - international events reserved for the Alfa 147 GTA Cup - were also present. Best time among them was set by Maurizio Campani (2'09.4"), followed by Simone Iacone (2'09.9") and Irish driver Eoin Murray (2'10.2").

Augusto Farfus
'Once again the Monza circuit brought out the best in me and with the Alfa 156 I always manage to achieve excellent times. In fast sections the powerful engine and excellent aerodynamics help us to be the fastest.'

Gabriele Tarquini
'We've worked well over these two days, getting the set-up ready for the opening race in the Championship. As the brakes are larger this year we put them through some particularly severe tests.'

Fabrizio Giovanardi
'I wasn't pushing for the best overall time. We managed to do a race simulation and get the engine in shape for our first outing this season.'

James Thompson
'It was great to be back in an Alfa 156, and for the first time I'll race the whole season in this car. In these tests it was important to get the set-up right specifically for this fast circuit.'

Combined list of times - Day 1 and 2

1) Farfus, Alfa - 1:58.783
2) Tarquini, Alfa - 1:59.094
3) D. Müller, BMW - 1:59.335
4) J. Müller, BMW - 1:59.525
5) Thompson, Alfa - 1:59.681
6) Giovanardi, Alfa - 1:59.707
7) García, BMW - 1:59.807
8) Colciago, Honda - 1:59.841
9) Priaulx, BMW - 2:00.100
10) Gené, SEAT - 2:00.163
11) Rydell, SEAT - 2:00.166
12) Zanardi, BMW - 2:00.178
13) D'Aste, BMW - 2:00.193
14) Terting, SEAT - 2:00.463
15) De Lorenzi, BMW - 2:00.613
16) Tavano, Alfa - 2:00.885
17) A. Larini, Alfa - 2:01.219
18) Rosenblad, BMW - 2:01.345
19) Engström, Honda - 2:01.595
20) Cirò, BMW - 2:01.660
21) De Micheli, Honda - 2:01.964
22) Valli, BMW - 2:02.719
23) Lacko, BMW - 2:02.974
24) Menu, Chevrolet - 2:03.018
25) Othla, Honda - 2:03.273
26) Huff, Chevrolet - 2:03.411
27) N. Larini, Chevrolet - 2:03.515
28) Lacko, Alfa - 2:04.425
29) Klenke, Ford - 2:04.574
30) Jäger, Ford - 2:04.828
31) Balzan, SEAT - 2:04.837
32) Borgudd, Honda - 2:08.617
33) Hellström, Honda - 2:08.688