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Gianni Morbidelli takes 2013 Italian Superstars Title

The 2013 season has been a sensational one for Gianni Morbidelli. Two weeks after capturing the 2013 SUPERSTARS INTERNATIONAL SERIES at Vallelunga, the Audi-powered racer dominated the field to replicate the same result in the ITALIAN SUPERSTARS CHAMPIONSHIP at Franciacorta. On the twisty northern Italian track, located near Brescia, Morbidelli set the pace throughout the whole weekend, winning both races in front the large crowd that welcomed Teams and Drivers in the paddock.

In Race 1, Morbidelli played a chess game to the perfection. After yielding to Vitantonio Liuzzi at the start, he tracked him all the way down to the 7th lap when he succeeded in a complex manouver that saw Liuzzi lose braking point at the Corkscrew corner.

The title came down to the wire in Race 2. Despite the dark skies, the conditions stayed dry and everything was set for another top showdown. This time, Morbidelli attacked right from the start. While Liuzzi jumped again to the front, his rival went on to a 2-part move that all but handed him the Italian crown. Struggling with tire wear on the Mercedes-AMG Romeo Ferraris car, Liuzzi then faced the comeback of Ermanno Dionisio. At his return in the series on the second Audi, the Brescia-based man took his best career in second finish after ending up Race 1 in third.

Liuzzi eventually rounded out the Race 2 podium, in front of the BMW M3 racecars fielded by Team BMW Dinamic for Nicola Baldan, who enjoyed a positive debut in SUPERSTARS competition, and returning female racer Francesca Linossi.

Race 1: 1. Gianni Morbidelli (Audi RS5) 21 laps 26'47.851; 2. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Mercedes C63 AMG) 2.797; 3. Ermanno Dionisio (Audi RS5) 3.007; 4. Nicola Baldan (BMW M3 E92) 8.841; 5. Francesca Linossi (BMW M3 E92) 1 lap.

Race 2: 1.Gianni Morbidelli (Audi RS5) 21 laps in 26'41.539; 2. Ermanno Dionisio (Audi RS5) 5.957; 3. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Mercedes C63 AMG) 9.432; 4. Nicola Baldan (BMW M3 E92) 10.429; 5. Francesca Linossi (BMW M3 E92) 27.400.

ITALIAN SUPERSTARS CHAMPIONSHIP (top 5): 1. Morbidelli 170; 2. Liuzzi 158; 3. Berton 83; 4. Biagi 76; 5. Sini, Ferrara 59.