Gianni Morbidelli wins race one in Franciacorta
Gianni Morbidelli won the first race in Franciacorta, taking the lead of the Italian Superstars Series from Mercedes’ Vitantonio Liuzzi with just one race to go.
At the start of the race, the Romeo Ferraris Mercedes of Liuzzi managed to take the lead from Morbidelli’s pole-sitting Audi, while behind them series rookie Nicola Baldan spun his BMW M3 and rejoined at the back of the field.
Morbidelli was attacked by his team-mate Dionisio in the early stages, but managed to hold him off, before making his move on Liuzzi to reclaim the lead and never leave it until the chequered flag.
Behind him Liuzzi and Dionisio engaged an entertaining race-long duel, culminating with the Audi temporarily passing the Mercedes out of the tight hairpin with two laps to go, but the former Formula One driver took the position back and fended off Dionisio’s Audi to the finish.
The BMW duo of Nicola Baldan and Francesca Linossi fought hard for fourth position, but Linossi was forced to pit in due to a technical problem and left Baldan in comfortable fourth, and last place.
The second Romeo Ferraris Mercedes of Thomas Biagi did not start due to health issues. Francesca Linossi will therefore start on pole position next to team-mate Nicola Baldan for race two, with Dionisio, Liuzzi and Morbidelli behind them in the order.
This win brings Morbidelli into the Italian Superstars Championship lead, three points ahead of Liuzzi.
“I would like to congratulate Liuzzi”, said Morbidelli after the race. “Franciacorta suits our car perfectly and he was able to challenge me for most of the race. I hope we will have fun in Race two as well.”
The second and final race of the 2013 Italian Superstars Series season gets under way at 15:50 CET.
