The 2013 Superstars grid guide

The Superstars International Series kicks off at Monza this weekend with another colourful and varied grid of cars and drivers.

With 12 different models of car on show from nine different manufacturers, and engineering concepts ranging from the four-wheel-drive Audis to the seven-litre Chevrolet Camaro, the competitive order is unlikely to stay the same from race to race.

Surprise 2012 champion Johan Kristoffersson returns to defend his title with a new team - Petri Corse - and a new (or at least a revived) car - the Porsche Panamera. But with competition from Thomas Biagi and ex-Formula 1 racers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Gianni Morbidelli, the 2013 season could just turn into a classic.

Here's how the grid is looks for Monza...

Team Dinamic

Car: BMW M3 E92

Giovanni Berton (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 4
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 22nd in Superstars

Max Mugelli (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 12
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 11th in Superstars, 16th in Superstars GT Sprint

Mauro Trentin (I) Superstars debut: 2013
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 7th in Italian Super Production Cars, 4th in Italian Rally Championship (independents')

The main problem for Dinamic and its BMWs last season was straightline speed, particularly compared with the Mercedes. While the team has done some development work on the M3s since the end of last season, including some new bodywork, better rideheight figures and a weight-shedding programme, grunt is still likely to be a problem, particularly at Monza.

The other problem is the loss of star driver Thomas Biagi, who has jumped shipped to Mercedes. In his place comes Giovanni Berton, who impressed during his two outings last year. Title chances? He's a rank outsider, but still clearly quick. A race win at somewhere like Imola is certainly not out of the question.

Joining him will be the capable Max Mugelli, and Mauro Trentin, who will make his series debut at Monza.

Todi Corse

Car: BMW M3 E90/BMW 550i

Francesco Ascani (I) Superstars debut: 2004
Starts: 85
Wins: 4
Poles: 0
2012: 32nd in Superstars

Leonardo Baccarelli (I) Superstars debut: 2004
Starts: 51
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 33rd in Superstars

Todi Corse will field two different BMWs at Monza; an E90 M3 for Francesco Ascani (as opposed to the E92 models being run by Dinamic), and a 550i for Leonardo Baccarelli. The driver line-up is certainly experienced, and Ascani has won before, but these guys aren't likely to trouble the frontrunners.

Scuderia Giudici

Car: BMW M3 E92

Gianni Giudici (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 5
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 36th in Superstars, 6th in Superstars GT Sprint

Michele Faccin (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 2
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 41st in Superstars

The BMW team had a fairly quiet debut season in Superstars last year, although Norbert Michelisz did help the squad to its first (and only) podium at the Hungaroring. Without that sort of star power in the driver line-up, it's difficult to see similar results this season.

Audi Sport Italia

Car: Audi RS5

Gianni Morbidelli (I) Superstars debut: 2007
Starts: 54
Wins: 20
Poles: 16
2012: 4th in Superstars

Ferdinando Geri (I) Superstars debut: 2010
Starts: 2
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 27th in Spanish GTs

Fact: last season, the Audi RS5 was the fastest car in the field. The only things that stopped the whole championship being over at the halfway mark were the ongoing parity adjustments, and the fact that the RS5 was brand new, and sometimes a little fragile.

With its trick four-wheel-drive system, and a year of development (and a little bit of problem solving), there's no reason to expect the Audi won't be the class of the field again. And with three-time champion Gianni Morbidelli signing on for another season, a second title in as many years for the German brand is very realistic.

While Morbidelli is back for Audi, outgoing champion Johan Kristoffersson's seat will be filled by Ferdinando Geri. The former GT Open driver has limited Superstars experience, but certainly has a decent piece of kit to kick things off with.

Audi Sport/MTM

Car: Audi RS5

Thomas Schoffler (D) Superstars debut: 2011
Starts: 16
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 8th in Superstars, 14th in Carrera Cup Scandinavia

While yet to be officially confirmed, it seems that, like last year, MTM will run a third Audi alongside the 'factory' cars for Thomas Schoffler. The young German failed to get as much out of the Audi as Morbidelli and Kristoffersson last year, but with a bit more experience he could be one to watch as the year progresses.

NOS Racing

Car: Audi RS4

There's not much to say here - yet. NOS Racing has lodged one entry for Monza, and is preparing to run an ex-Audi Sport Italia RS4 for a yet-to-be-named driver. Rumours have linked Alessandro Kouzkin (he's also tested with them), and there are even stories doing the rounds that the team may run as many as three cars at times this season.

Roma Racing Team

Car: Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe

Luigi Ferrara (I) Superstars debut: 2010
Starts: 42
Wins: 6
Poles: 2
2012: 16th in Superstars, 8th in Carrera Cup Italy

Debuting late last season, the Mercedes Coupe is one of the prettiest cars in the field. It's also famous for being the car that Nico Caldarola was driving when he speared into Kristoffersson on the opening lap of the action-packed finale at Enna last October.

But there won't be any misadventures like that for Caldarola this season. The veteran has pulled a Ralf Schumacher, stepping into a management role within the team to allow Luigi Ferrara to take over after he made a one-off start for the team at the final round.

Can Ferrara challenge for the title? It's unlikely, but he has won before. Race wins are certainly possible.

Romeo Ferraris

Car: Mercedes C63 AMG

Vitantonio Liuzzi (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 16
Wins: 2
Poles: 1
2012: 2nd in Superstars, , 4 races in World Endurance Championship

Thomas Biagi (I) Superstars debut: 2010
Starts: 50
Wins: 5
Poles: 2
2012: 3rd in Superstars, Italian GT champion

Romeo Ferraris has locked down the best driver line-up in the whole field.

In one corner, Vitantonio Liuzzi, who joins from rival Mercedes team CAAL Racing. The ex-Force India driver came within a handful of points of winning the title in his first season in a tin-top, and with that year of experience behind him, he'll start the new season as one of the absolute favourites.

In the other corner, former Superstars champ Thomas Biagi. Having grown increasingly frustrated with a lack of development on the BMW last season, the ex-Formula 3000 driver has opted for something with a little bit more horsepower for the new season.

With two of the most exciting entries in the field, this is a close one to call.

CAAL Racing

Car: Mercedes C63 AMG

Andrea Bacchi (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 4
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 23rd in Superstars, 7th in Superstars GT Sprint, Italian Super Production champion

Stefano Gabellini (I) Superstars debut: 2008
Starts: 72
Wins: 7
Poles: 5
2012: 7th in Superstars

Romeo Ferraris has locked down the best driver line-up in the whole field.

Like Biagi, Stefano Gabellini has decided to jump ship from Dinamic BMW and join Mercedes. He'll do so with the very capable CAAL Racing squad, which went incredibly close to nabbing the title last year with Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Is the team likely to be a contender again this season? It's tough to say. While Gabellini is solid, and Andrea Bacci looked decent enough in his four starts for the team at the end of last season, neither are likely to bring the same level of quality as Liuzzi last season. Still, the team prepares a good car and could nab the odd win.

Solaris Motorsport

Car: Chevrolet Camaro

Francesco Sini (I) Superstars debut: 2010
Starts: 50
Wins: 1
Poles: 0
2012: 5th in Superstars

Solaris Motorsport will kick off the new season with a brand new Chevrolet Camaro, built completely in-house. And if looks could kill, every other car in the field would already be a goner. It's one tough-looking car.

Is it fast? The recent test at Monza suggests so, with the Chevy topping the times. Not surprising, because if the Camaro is anything like the team's old Lumina, then grunt won't be an issue.

If it's fast and reliable, a debut win could beckon. As he proved at Mugello last year, Francesco Sini is capable of winning races when things go his way.

Petri Corse

Car: Porsche Panamera S

Johan Kristoffersson (S) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 16
Wins: 4
Poles: 2
2012: Superstars champion, Scandinavian Touring Car champion, Carrera Cup Scandinavia champion

Massimiliano Fantini (I) Superstars debut: 2013
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: Did not race

Speaking of exciting entries, Johan Kristoffersson is back to defend the title that he so spectacularly won last year. But rather than sticking with the super-fast Audi RS5, he's made a shock switch to the Petri Corse team, and one of its Porsche Panameras.

Having not run at all during the 2012 season, there is a bit of a question mark over the Porsche. Will it be able to compete with Audi and Mercedes? Who knows. But if it is, then we already know that the young Swede is up to getting the job done.

The second Porsche will be driven by Massimiliano Fantini, who has a long history racing Porsches in Italy's Carrera Cup, despite having not done a lot of racing for the past couple of seasons.

RC Motorsport

Car: Cadillac CTS-V

Roberto Benedetti (I) Superstars debut: 2006
Starts: 34
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: 4th in Superstars GT Sprint, 31st in Italian GTs

The Solaris Camaro won't be the only example of American muscle in the Superstars field this season. RC Motorsports is bringing the mighty Cadillac CTS-V back to the series, planning to run the very experienced Roberto Benedetti at Monza. There has also been talk of a second CTS-V, to be driven by the team's other Roberto, Roberto del Castello, although the car wasn't on the provisional entry list for Monza.

Does the team have a chance? Well, Benedetti was pretty quick for the in GT Sprint last year, and the CTS-V does have a whopping great seven-litre engine. Could be an outside podium bet at Monza.

BAT Racing

Car: Chrysler C300 SRT8

Alessandro Battaglin (I) Superstars debut: 2006
Starts: 33
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: Two starts in Superstars

The Chrysler did not do a lot of work last season. It showed up at the first round in the hands of Niccolo Mercartali, before Alessandro Battaglin had a go at racing the car at Valellunga. With that in mind, this entry is unlikely to be a frontrunner, particularly given that Battaglin hasn't had a lot of seat time recently either.

MRT by Nocentini

Car: Lexus ISF 500

Aldo Ponti (I) Superstars debut: 2013
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
2012: N/A

Another team that only raced at Monza and Vallelunga last season, MRT has opted to only field its Lexus this season, having palmed off the Chrysler to BAT Racing. Driving the ISF 500 will be series rookie Aldo Ponti, who has a background racing SEATs and Renault Clios.

Ferlito Motors

Car: Jaguar XF SV8

Andrea Larini (I) Superstars debut: 2012
Starts: 16
Wins: 1
Poles: 0
2012: 6th in Superstars

There are two Jaguars entered for Monza, although at this point only one driver is confirmed - Andrea Larini. The brother of former F1 driver Nicola is back for his second Superstars season, having been impressive in a Romeo Ferraris Mercedes in 2012.

The Jags aren't always the quickest cars in the field, but it's worth noting that veteran Max Pigoli won for the team at the season-opener at Monza 12 months ago. Horsepower is a real strength, giving Larini a decent chance of a debut win in green.

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