Audi Sport
Italia Press Release
At Imola Gianni Morbidelli aims to pick six,
as newcomers Davide Di Benedetto and Giuseppe Cipriani join Audi line-up
RACE PREVIEW
This weekend will see the return of the International Superstars Championship to Italy as the V8-series heads South to embark on the final two meetings of the year, with two drivers sitting atop the tables level on points. Vying for the prestige of a record fifth crown Morbidelli, will shoot for his sixt success. Six season wins would tie his unforgettable 2007-2009 vintage years. Even more surprising though, since he's sitting in a RS 5 Gianni still has to please his dedicated fans posting a win in front of a home crowd. As it is, the Pesaro-based driver has claimed all of his 9 successes in the amazing four-wheel-driven car at venues abroad. Moreover, Imola is a track that Morbidelli still has to conquer in this series--although he's posted wins there in other categories. A spate of minor chinks in the Audi star's armor that he's willing to redress Sunday.
The Camozzi Audi driver is
quite unlikely to keep the field at arm's length on Saturday, as the
Balance Of Performance provisions levied on his RS 5 make him an underdog in
the battle for race one front row. However, Audi Sport Italia will be mustering
up her strength for the demanding Italian track on Sunday, when braking and
tyre wear is expected to pick the eventual winners. This time out Morbidelli
will not find himself in the uncomfortable position of lone Audi knight: Davide
Di Benedetto and Giuseppe Cipriani are set to join him at the former F.1 venue,
making their debuts in tin-tops, the latter fresh from a spell in
single-seaters, the former making a comeback with Audi Sport Italia after a
successful 2012 season in the domestic GT series. Taking into account the features
of Imola, they may well end up eating up at the haul of points that
Morbidelli's foes aim to claim.
INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES
DRIVERS' POINTS STANDINGS
1. MORBIDELLI - Biagi 173 points;
3. Berton 136 pts;
4. Liuzzi 132 pts;
5. Ferrara 113 pts.
Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia
