Sunday, April 7, 2013

Superstars: Fourth place for Gianni Morbidelli and Audi Sport Italia in race 1 at Monza


By Tarek Ramchani

The first race of the 2013 International Superstars Series has just finished at Monza. Two Audi RS 5 quattro cars from Audi Sport Italia took part. Gianni Morbidelli finished in a positive fourth and his team mate Ferdinando Geri in fifteenth.

In front the dominant AMG squad was untouchable, the C63 cars took full advantage of their power and let the rivals way behind. Gianni Morbidelli who qualified in fourth yesterday with his #45 Audi RS5 quattro was only able to follow and take vital points. The Italian star lost several places in the rolling start, but managed to recover later. Morbidelli had a great battle with the Jaguar XF of Nicolas Larini, after many laps of resisting Larni lost the position. A fourth is not that bad as Monza is clearly not a circuit for the Audi Sport Italia built cars. It was a harder race for Ferdinando Geri, after a difficult Saturday he finished way behind in a disappointing fifteenth. Race victory went to Vitantonio Liuzzi with his Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, in second Thomas Biaggi and in third Luigi Ferrara.

Race 2 is next with a reverse grid for the top 8 finishers in race 1. Gianni Morbidelli will start from fifth. Fingers crossed for both Audi drivers.

Photo credit: Superstars Series