Liuzzi dominates Superstars opener

Tonio Liuzzi took a dominant win as the 2013 Superstars International Series kicked off at Monza.

In his first race for the Romeo Ferraris Mercedes squad, the former F1 driver made light work of the field to lead every lap of the race. He set up the win with a solid start, and had more than two seconds up his sleeve by the end of the fourth lap.

Liuzzi’s only challenge came from his team-mate Thomas Biagi, who managed to keep in touch with the leader throughout the race.

There was even a period during the middle of the race where Biagi was quicker, narrowing the gap to a second. However the former series champion never got close enough to mount a proper challenge for the lead.

Luigi Ferrara was a lonely third for Roma Racing, although the Mercedes Coupe only just made the finish, with Ferrara shutting the car down as soon as he crossed the line.

Gianni Morbidelli (Audi Sport Italia RS5) finished fourth after an early scrap with the more powerful Ferlito Jaguar of Andrea Larini, while Francesco Sini gave the brand new Slaris Chevrolet a fifth place on debut after coming winning a race-long battle with Giovanni Berton (Dinamic BMW).

Berton wound up sixth, ahead of CAAL Racing Mercedes driver Andrea Bacci, and Larini, who dropped off towards the end of the race.

Reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson was a shock withdrawal from the race, his Petri Corse Porsche’s engine problems leaving him on the sidelines.

Results – 14 laps:
 
Pos Driver                  Team/Car            Time/Gap
  1. Vitantonio Liuzzi       Mercedes            27m05.042s
  2. Thomas Biagi            Mercedes            + 0.589s
  3. Luigi Ferrara           Mercedes            + 13.639s
  4. G.Morbidelli            Audi                + 23.200s
  5. Francesco Sini          Chevrolet           + 34.423s
  6. Giovanni Berton         BMW                 + 34.935s
  7. Andrea Bacci            Mercedes            + 42.343s
  8. Andrea Larini           Jaguar              + 50.088s
  9. Mauro Trentin           BMW                 + 50.703s
 10. L.Baccarelli            Mercedes            + 1m05.089s
 11. R.Benedetti             Cadillac            + 1m07.697s
 12. Francesco Ascani        BMW                 + 1m23.251s
 13. Gianni Giudici          BMW                 + 1m35.526s
 14. Max Mugelli             BMW                 + 2 Laps
 
Retirements:

   Ferdinando Geri         Audi                 7 laps
    Diabolik                Jaguar               7 laps
    J.Kristoffersson        Porsche              DNS
    A.Battaglin             Lexus                DNS
    Max Fantini             Porsche              DNS
 

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/liuzzi-dominates-superstars-opener

Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson Joe James