Photo: Superstars Series

Giovanni Berton takes surprise pole ahead of Morbidelli

By

Giovanni Berton took his maiden Superstars Series pole position in Vallelunga, after his last-gasp assault for the top position proved to be successful. The BMW Team Dinamic driver will share the front row with title contender Gianni Morbidelli, who led most of the session in his Audi RS 5.

Max Mugelli qualified third for BMW, after leading the time sheets early on in the session. Morbidelli’s championship rival Thomas Biagi qualified fourth in his works Mercedes C63 AMG ahead of team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi. Superstars veteran Andrea Larini qualified sixth just a few thousandths shy of Liuzzi. Tthe Tuscany-based driver had topped the wet morning free practice session in his Audi RS 5.

Solaris Motorsport will occupy the fourth row, with Francesco Sini’s Chevrolet Camaro outpacing its sister car, the Lumina, and its driver, Domenico Schiattarella. Giuseppe Cipriani finished in ninth in the Roma Racing Mercedes C63 Coupé, but his engine blew out rather spectacularly with just a handful of minutes to go.

Mauro Trentin rounded out the top ten for BMW, 2.7s behind the leader. Andrea Bacci, who will start from the back of the grid, having spun at the hairpin at the very beginning of the session, which brought out the red flag.

Race 1 is scheduled for tomorrow at 12.00 CET. The race will be Morbidelli’s first ‘match point’ to wrap up the championship.