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Superstars title goes to the wire in Vallelunga

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The Superstars Series title is going to be decided this weekend in Vallelunga, Italy, with Gianni Morbidelli and his Audi RS 5 going to the weekend with a huge points margin of 33 from title rival Thomas Biagi, who endured a tough weekend at Imola in his Romeo Ferraris Mercedes C63 AMG.

Both title contenders have won titles in the series previously. Morbidelli has won four titles – including the Italian version of the championship, Biagi has taken two at the wheel of a BMW M3 E92. The big gap in points means that, although the RS 5 has struggled due to recent balance of performance changes, Morbidelli can afford to limit the damage to take the crown. All the former Formula One driver needs to do is collect ten points (besides the two awarded for the start of the races).

Biagi will go to the weekend with nothing to lose and the Mercedes is in strong form, as team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi recently proved in Imola by taking a win and a second despite Audi’s supremacy in wet conditions.

Thomas Biagi will most likely enjoy support from Liuzzi if things go the Mercedes driver’s way. On the other hand, Audi Sport Italia will have a strong addition to the team with Andrea Larini, a Superstars expert and a possible challenger for race wins, due to the fact that the Tuscany-based driver will carry no success ballast.

The Superstars will however not be down to just the title battle. Several interesting elements might play their part in deciding a title that is obviously more in the hands of Morbidelli than Biagi’s.

Francesco Sini took his maiden podium with the Chevrolet Camaro in Imola two weeks ago and will try to carry the momentum into the Vallelunga weekend. The Italian is expected to continue in the series with his family-run structure, Solaris Motorsport, and will want to score good results ahead of 2014.

BMW should be able to overcome its engine problems and, despite being an aging car, Giovanni Berton and his team-mates Max Mugelli and Mauro Trentin may run at the front, due to the twisty nature of the second part of the track which should help the drivers to exploit the M3’s handling.

Big announcements concerning the future of the series are expected in Vallelunga, which is the organiser’s home race, as well as being the season finale.