Superstars Monza: Vitantonio Liuzzi heads Mercedes 1-2 on grid
Vitantonio Liuzzi stormed to pole position for the first Superstars International Series race of the season at Monza
The Romeo Ferraris Mercedes driver was in a class of his own throughout the half-hour session, setting the benchmark time of 1m54.208s just 10 minutes in.
While team-mate Thomas Biagi did his best to chase down Liuzzi's time, the former BMW driver was forced to settle for second place with a best of 1m54.538.
For a long time it looked as if only the two Romeo Ferraris cars would break into the 1m54s, but with just a few minutes remaining in the session Luigi Ferrara set a 1m54.817s, securing third spot.
Gianni Morbidelli was the best of the rest, nabbing fourth in the relatively underpowered Audi Sport Italia RS5 with a 1m55.452s.
Andrea Larini was fifth, ahead of Francesco Sini, Andrea Bacci and Giovanni Berton.
For reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson, the session was a disaster. The Swede completed one troubled out-lap before parking his Petri Corse Porsche with an engine problem.
Qualifying times Pos Driver Car Time Gap 1. Vitantonio Liuzzi Ferraris Mercedes 1m54.208s 2. Thomas Biagi Ferraris Mercedes 1m54.538s + 0.330s 3. Luigi Ferrara Roma Mercedes 1m54.817s + 0.609s 4. Gianni Morbidelli Audi Italia 1m55.452s + 1.244s 5. Andrea Larini Ferlito Jaguar 1m56.338s + 2.130s 6. Francesco Sini Solaris Chevrolet 1m56.357s + 2.149s 7. Andrea Bacci CAAL Mercedes 1m56.622s + 2.414s 8. Giovanni Berton Dinamic BMW 1m56.652s + 2.444s 9. 'Diablolik' Ferlito Jaguar 1m57.052s + 2.844s 10. Mauro Trentin Dinamic BMW 1m47.451s + 3.243s 11. Leonardo Baccarelli CAAL Mercedes 1m57.588s + 3.380s 12. Max Mugelli Dinamic BMW 1m57.629s + 3.421s 13. Roberto Benedetti RC Cadillac 1m57.772s + 3.565s 14. Max Fantini Petri Porsche 1m57.813s + 3.605s 15. Gianni Giudici Giudici BMW 1m58.415s + 4.207s 16. Francesco Ascani Todi BMW 1m59.202s + 4.994s 17. Ferdinando Geri Audi Italia 2m01.099s + 6.891s 18. Johan Kristoffersson Petri Porsche No time 19. Alessandro Battaglin MRT Lexus No time
Monza Superstars: Liuzzi sets blistering practice pace
Monza Superstars: Liuzzi takes dominant victory in opener
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