Photo: Superstars Media

Mercedes dominates Superstars premiere

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Mercedes dominated the Superstars premiere at Monza today. Rookie Luigi Ferrara claimed both wins after dominating qualifying, making his debut weekend with a surprising hat trick.

The driver from Bari started from pole position in race one and cruised to victory followed quite closely by former champion Max Pigoli, also driving a Mercedes.

The two top spots of the podium were occupied by the very same drivers in both races, while the remaining spot was taken by Gianni Morbidelli in the first race and a surprising Roberto Del Castello in the second race, driving a Santucci Motorsport Cadillac CTS V.

Race one saw a relatively easy getaway performed by the leading duo, while behind them BMW-works drivers Gianni Morbidelli and Biagi struggled to keep pace with the more powerful Mercedes cars.
Morbidelli overtook his teammate on lap two and had a relatively calm race to third place.

Russo finished fifth in his Independent BMW M3 E92 ahead of Del Castello, who overtook works BMW driver Cappellari right at the end of the race. Roberto Papini took a solid eight place, which meant he got pole for the second race in his Audi A4 RS4.

A spectacular start for the second race saw Pigoli take the lead right after the Roggia chicane, starting from seventh. Del Castello took second place, while Papini managed to keep third, ahead of Cappellari, Russo, Schiattarella, Ferrara and Biagi, while bookmakers’ favourite Morbidelli slipped down to eleventh after contact with a few other cars. The Italian would later retire as a result of engine problems.

As the race went on Luigi Ferrara started a furious chase up through the field and managed to close a four second gap from Pigoli in less than three laps. Little could the Romeo Ferraris driver do to defend his position, as Ferrara was lapping about a second quicker than him.

Chevrolet drivers Herbert and Zadotti climbed through the field and would eventually finish sixth and eight respectively, with the Italian showing the ability to match the pace of the former F1-star.

A pair of exciting races welcomed the opening weekend of the Italian Superstars series. The action resumes at Imola in three weeks time, with the BMW works team expected to mount a thougher challenge against the so fardominating Mercedes.