Italian GT: Runner-up spot grabbed in nail-biting Imola race keeps Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schöffler atop the points standings

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

GT title to go to the wire at Monza:  runner-up spot grabbed in nail-biting Imola race keeps Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schöffler atop the points standings

•  Series lead now shared with Imola race two winners Giammaria-Case
•  Rough driving spoils Emanuele Zonzini, Dindo Capello day at turn one

Imola, Italy – As going got tough in the Italian GT the No. 6 Audi duo proved to be a nearly perfect match: yesterday, at the circuit named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari, it was up to Singen, Germany's Thomas Schoeffler to put his mark on the third place finish in a race claimed by Alessandro Balzan, Nicola Benucci's Ferrari. Today it was Marco Mapelli's turn to put in an inspired drive to snatch the second place -- behind Raffaele Gianmaria and Lorenzo Case's Ferrari --. The Monza-based driver had to dodge a spate of punches during a bout with Francisco Mora's AMG Mercedes. The Portoguese's third place was then deleted by the stewards, but Mapelli, with the title on the line and the archrival Ferrari leading, simply couldn't afford not to take risks. And he proved his mettle moving by the AMG Mercedes at Tamburello corner with two laps to go. The runnerup spot in round 12 means that Mapelli, Schoeffler keep the lead in the standings they had re-claimed on Saturday, albeit level on points with Sunday winners. The four drivers will go to the wire in a fortnight at ultra-quick Monza and they will be level also as far as time handicap is concerned for round 13 mandatory pit-stop, whilst Saturday winner Nicola Benucci keeps himself a dim chance to leapfrog the foursome.

Imola wasn't as friendly with their team mate Emanuele Zonzini: the San Marino young gun was pushed into the runoff area at turn one on the opening lap and could not resume the race until he had a 3-lap gap. A recovery impossible to match even for his mentor Dindo Capello, who had to make do with a ninth place that was way too little, especially for a pissed off Zonzini.

Race two:
1. Giammaria-Case' (Ferrari)
28 laps, 49:55.011
2. MAPELLI-SCHÖFFLER (AUDI)
3. Pier Guidi-Lucchini (Ferrari)
4. Pezzucchi-Bianco (Porsche)
5. Frassineti-Lancieri (Ferrari)

Standings:
AFTER 12 ROUNDS:
1. MAPELLI-SCHÖFFLER 111 points
1. Giammaria- Case' 111 pts.
5. Benucci 98 pts.
6. Lucchini 84 pts.
7. Balzan 83 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schöffler claim hard-fought podium finish at Imola

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schöffler claim hard-fought podium finish at Imola and overtake Ferrari's crews for the lead of the GT3 championship in the process

• #6 Audi rounds out Top3 in unpredictable, fickle round eleven 
• Dindo Capello, Emanuele Zonzini grapple with alternator trouble

Imola, Italy – 458 Italia GT3s may have seized the leading spot in the Italian GT round eleven staged today at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari but... it turned out that ultimatley it's again an Audi R8 LMS ultra that came atop the tables. Pole sitting Alessandro Balzan and Nicola Benucci, then Luigi Lucchini and Alessandro Pier Guidi and eventual winners Gigi Ferrara, Marco Magli all enjoyed the first place. The Scuderia Italia car even looked set to snatch its second series win in a round that did not miss twists, until Lucchini was beached on lap 23 at Acque Minerali runoff area. By then Magli and Benucci were apparently set to duke it out for the runner-up spot with Audi's Thomas Schoeffler. The Singen, Germany driver had received the number 6 Audi from team mate Marco Mapelli in sixth place. The Lombardy-based driver had started from the front row, holding off championship leader and archrival Raffaele Gianmaria and Ferrara for ten laps, fighting tooth and nail to fend their charge off until he went wide at Tamburello. He then managed to keep the gap from the Ferraris as tight as possible. Schoeffler was as poised and focused, finishing third as Benucci's wingman a race that highlighted how you can't win crowns if you don't score on a regular basis: several of the Italian Gran Turismo mainstays failed to do so today, including Barri and Bortolotti, Lucchini and Pier Guidi and former series leaders Gianmaria and Casè. Imola's Top3 finish yields Mapelli and Schoeffler the first place that they had relinquished at Vallelunga, two points ahead of Bonucci and five ahead of Gianmaria and Casé--the former leaders wound up in P10.

Their team mates Capello and Zonzini were stuck throughout their race with low voltage problems, which luckily didn't forced him to join the DNF list. Capello even had a near miss when Giacomo Barri's Lambo flew off track at Tamburello early in the race, just inches away from the 3-time Le Mans winner. Zonzini then made up ground, but trimming the gap from the leading Ferrari wasn't enough to yield his -- and his team mate, too-- effort a better result than P7. However, they look forward to Sunday, as this time out --unlike Mapelli and Schoeffler -- they will not have to grapple with a 10-second time handicap at the pit-stop.

Race one:
1. Ferrara-Magli (Ferrari) 27 laps, 51:24.865s
2. Balzan-Benucci (Ferrari)
3. MAPELLI-SCHÖFFLER (AUDI)
4. Mora (AMG Mercedes)
5. Beretta-Carboni (Porsche)

Standings:
1. MAPELLI-SCHÖFFLER 96 points
3. Benucci 94 pts.
4. Giammaria-Case' 91 pts.
6. Beretta-Carboni 79 pts.
8. Balzan 77 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: At Vallelunga race two Dindo Capello, Emanuele Zonzini grab runner-up spot

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Audi pair now is six points adrift of leading Ferrari 458 duo
• Capello, Zonzini ninth try finally bring them back into the Top3

Campagnano di Roma, Italy – Audi Sport Italia's R8s had their best balance right for the final day of the fifth Italian GT meeting at Vallelunga: their drivers may haven't clinched either pole positions or fastest laps, but after a difficult Saturday race, which wound up with Capello, Zonzini in P5 and Mapelli, Schoffler in P8 both cars had stepped up to challenge, and when time to pit came one was leading as the other was lying fourth not far behind, both close in the time sheets to the series top performers. As it is, Capello didn't miss the chance to grab a well deserved second place; however Schoeffler, who planned to build on the lead that Mapelli had built, didn't had the chance to do so as the rear axle didn't budge when the air jacks went down. The Italian-German duo retirement means that they now trail new leaders Raffaele Giammaria, Lorenzo Casè by six points, as the #27 Ferrari claimed P6 today.

A quick look to yesterday's race starting grid seemed harbinger of a Saturday where it all could come together for Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini to return to a Top3 finish, without further waiting: they were starting from P5, moreover they'd be spared time penalties at the mandatory pit-stop. Unfortunately the plan did not take into account problems with gear shifting that blighted the 3-time Le Mans winner stint. However they managed to seal off the Saturday as best Audi crew on track, as a staff tweak at the pit-stop seemed to solve the problem. Therefore Zonzini climbed back into fifth position overtaking the Ferrari that claimed the win at Paul Ricard as race time was expiring. Schoeffler tiptoed outiside and inside the Top10 throughout his stint at Autodromo Piero Taruffi, handing the #6 Audi to team mate Mapelli in P10, with a 10-second time levy waiting for him due to Paul Ricard podium finish. The Lombard driver moved past a couple of rivals grabbing the three points awarded to eight place, an outcome that let rivals Casè-Giammaria slip by as new series leader, although by a lone point, as the Ferrari pair pole position translated into third position. The race again saw the Mirko Bortolotti and Giacomo Barri's Lamborghini cruise to win.

The race one results were obviously disappointing, but the Audi camp was hardly wrenching, as everybody knew that Mapelli and Zonzini would have take on Sunday's race from the front row and row two respectively. Pole sitting Bortolotti's car sputtered away from the lights, giving fellow front row sitter Mapelli an opportunity to make an immediate challenge which wound up with the former Italian GT champ taking the lead from Casè and Frassineti's Ferrari. His solid drive made sure that he would not have relinqueshed the lead until lap 16, when he pitted as last of the leading cars to do so. Sadly a mechanical problem prevented his team mate Schoeffler from continuing their chase to the third season win, as the German could not even restart the #6 Audi to resume the fray. Luckily for the Audi Sport Italia colors, this time out team mates Capello and Zonzini were on their way back to the Top3, a position that had escaped them since their win in the Misano Adriatico opener. Zonzini finished his stint after a consistent drive in fourth place, and Capello made the most of the time handicaps that the leading cars had to cope with, grabbing a well deserved second place although squeezed in a sandwich between the Ferraris of sporstcar specialists Alex Balzan and Matteo Malucelli.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Italian Gran Turismo battle hots up at Paul Ricard, but Audi's Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler keep their lead

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Runner-up finish helps Mapelli, Schoeffler to keep 8-point edge
• Even in sunny France dark clouds gather over unlucky Capello, Zonzini

Le Castellet, France – Audi Sport Italia's No. 6 crew claimed a hard-fought runner-up spot today in the Italian Gran Turismo championship, and by finishing two positions ahead of the Ferrari Scuderia Baldini pair in the sole series meeting staged abroad, at scenic Circuit Paul Ricard, they clear the half-season mark with a 8-point lead. Donativi-Gagliardini are still in third place, but their gap widens to 25 points after the Le Castellet rounds. Unfortunately Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler are the only Audi standard bearers with title hopes, as today jinx again struck Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini: the latter was tapped into a spin as he had just claimed P4, possibly heading for a Top3 spot which has deserted them since their win in the series opener.

Yesterday, as the seventh 2014 race got underway, Thomas Schoeffler and Dindo Capello were both moving from row three. The Audi pair was soon hold up by Monza race two winner Andrea Gagliardini, who used every inch of the track -- and several times the powder-blue patches outside of it, too -- to fend off their effort to snatch P6 from his Porsche until the mandatory pit-stop. When their respective team mates Marco Mapelli and Emanuele Zonzini resumed the race, frustration of another kind was lurking: the safety car had to be sent out when a GT Cup class car heavily crashed into the armco barrier. Therefore Mapelli and Zonzini were forced to sit in P6 and P7 until 4 minutes -- and one lap -- to go, when a mad dash to the chequered flag unraveled. Former single-seater driver Mirko Bortolotti barreled through the pack to claim Lamborghini's maiden 2014 win, whilst series leader Mapelli somehow managed to sneak to the front and in the final lap he even challenged Casè-Giammaria for the runner-up spot, but a rough feedback from the red Ferrari opened up room for fellow Ferrari duo Pier Guidi-Lucchini to slip by him -- with Zonzini's R8 LMS ultra in tow. The Audi Sport Italia duo therefore took the seventh flag as fourth and fifth.

Today, a fair getaway from pole was not enough to keep Mapelli leading, as Alessandro Pier Guidi's Ferrari sneaked by running on theblue tarmac on the front straight. However Mapelli did not have the chance to fight back: he rather had to spend his stint repealing the pressure that Bortolotti's Gallardo put on his Audi. He did so successfully, in spite of way under-par braking effectiveness, handing the car over to Schoeffler still in second place. The young Singen, Germany-born driver nursed the R8 LMS ultra managing to keep the runner-up spot for the whole race but on lap 21 and 22--when Alessandro Balzan was steamrollering past him on his way to a convincing win. Unlike Schoeffler, Capello could not manage to break a sweat on Sunday: his team mate Zonzini, who had started from row two, after trailing Lorenzo Casè early on finally overtook the red Ferrari on lap seven, but the rival tapped the Audi into a spin sending the San Marino-based driver amid the backmarkers, just a harbinger of even worse news: quite likely as an outcome of the hit, Zonzini had to pull over one lap later due to transmission problems.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Second 2014 victory propels Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schoeffler atop points standings of Italian Gran Turismo

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Strong comeback race helps GT3 Audis to snap Mugello losing streak
• Capello, Zonzini close in on Top3 spot until late-race one mishap

Scarperia e S. Piero (FI) – Coming off the team's worst result of the 2014 season, Audi Sport Italia visited Mugello with bolstered confidence and did not miss the mark on Saturday for Italian Gran Turismo round five.

Starting from row two Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler bid their time until the second half of the race, then went on to successfully attack the Ferrari dominance at their home track. Team mates Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini also looked set to reap a good haul of points, but with five minutes to go--as the San Marino-based young gun was lying in P4--he went off at Correntaio corner, thereafter blaming a braking problem for the mishap.

At the start of the race Schoeffler and Capello kept in check the Autorlando Porsche whose drivers were runner up in the points standings after Monza: Carboni-Beretta, fighting with them for fifth position. The Stuttgart-built car, however, went by the German driver on lap nine; Schoeffler then also gave way to team mate Capello.

The Singen-based driver was the first of the Audi guys to pit for the mandatory driver change, one lap ahead of Capello, and as it turned out the move helped Mapelli to resume the track just ahead of Zonzini. Mapelli then zeroed in on the Ferrari trio that had occupied the podium after trouble hit the pole-sitting Lamborghini Gallardo. The best 458 Italia, in the hands of the Magli-Ferrara pair, was nearly ten seconds away at this stage. Mapelli did not blink when he had to move past Necchi-Frassineti's 458 Italia for P3, then made up the gap from duelling Ferrari drivers Magli and Casè.

The Audi Sport Italia driver was well aware that both the rivals had been handed a penalty of over 3-second for resuming the race jumping the mandatory 45-second time. Mapelli and Schoeffler were therefore able to post their second season win, although they could not take the flag in first place as it was waved in front of Casè instead. Mapelli and Schoeffler's achievement also snapped a 3-year losing streak for the GT3 Audis at the Tuscan venue.

The Porsche line-up that had starred in Monza wasn't nowhere near the podium, therefore after five rounds the Audi duo climbed back into the lead of the Italian series, nine points ahead of former leaders Gagliardini-Donativi and tomorrow, as they will start from pole courtesy of Mapelli, they aim to increase their lead in spite of the 15-second time handicap that a win yields.

However, the desire to win Sunday race will be even more burning for Capello and especially Zonzini: the young San Marino has recovered very well in his stint on the head of Ferrari. In the end he was the man Audi fastest on the track: has been enhanced three times (1'50 .459, 1'50 .358 and 1'50 .356), but the pace has not honored because it went off at turn Correntaio, indicating that the brakes then forced him to pump the brakes for some time the trigger.

Photo credit: Italian GT Championship

Italian GT: Mapelli-Schoeffler (Audi R8 LMS) win race-1 of the 3rd round of the Italian GT Championship

Italian GT Championship Press Release

Audi Sport Italia's drivers proceeded the two Ferrari 458 Italia of Casè-Giammaria and Magli-Ferrara. In GT Cup the Lamborghini Gallardo of Tempesta-Iacone and "El Pato”-Zanardini dominated the race.

Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler (Audi R8 LMS) claimed race-1 victory in the third round of the Italian GT Championship underway at the circuit of Mugello. The lineup of Audi Sport Italia proceeded the two Ferrari 458 Italia of Casè-Giammaria (Scuderia Baldini 27) and Magli-Ferrara (Easy Race) at the end of a tight race.

The Lamborghini Gallardo run by Imperiale Racing and driven by Amici-Barri went out after holding the lead of the race for a long time in the first stint (rear splitter failure), similar fate for the Ferrari 458 Italia driven Lucchini-Pier Guidi (out due to an incident) and the Audi R8 LMS of Capello-Zonzini, that came to the fore towards the end of the race (stopped on the gravel trap due to braking problems).

The victory in GT Cup went to Tempesta-Iacone (Lamborghini Gallardo-Bonaldi Motorsport) ahead of team mates "El Pato"-Zanardini and Baccani-Venerosi (Porsche 997-Antonelli Motorsport).

Mapelli and Schoeffler (51) are currently leading the GT3 classification, ahead of Donativi-Gagliardini (42) and Carboni-Beretta (41), while Omar Galbiati keeps the lead of GT Cup as he reached 59 points, that is 4 clear of Passuti, Iacone and Tempesta.

Race-2 will start tomorrow at local 16:00hrs (pole by Mapelli), with live coverage on Dinamica Channel (free view and SKY) and recorded broadcast on Raisport2 at 19:20hrs. Web streaming will be available at www.acisportitalia.it/GT.

Race-1 as it happened: the poleman got the lead at the start and was followed by Ferrara, who had a good start from the second row, then Frassineti, Schoeffler, Giammaria, Carboni and Capello followed in the order, while Iacone got the lead in GT Cup proceeding Baccani and Maestri. Giammaria made a successful move on Schoeffler at lap two and the race did not have any other twists for several laps as the top four drivers started pulling away.

At lap 8 Lucchini and Mora had a contact while battling P10 out and the BMS Scuderia Italia's driver had the worst of it as he got stranded in the sand. Carboni took Schoeffler at the following lap gaining P5, and then he was followed by Capello. In GT Cup Iacone pulled away from Baccani and Maestri.

Giammaria moved his attack to Frassineti at lap 11, but the driver from Rome managed to keep his third place, while Ferrara got closer and closer to the race leader and eventually found his way past him at lap 12, exactly when pit lane was open for the drivers change.

At lap 14, Barri, who replaced Amici, had to pit due to a failure of the front splitter ending his race early. Magli, who replaced Ferrara, was in the lead at the end of the pit stops.

Easy Race's driver had a 3"8s margin to Casè, who took the wheel of Giammaria, followed by Necchi, on Frassineti's car, and Mapelli who replaced Schoeffler, while Zonzini got P5 ahead of Benucci, Beretta, Gagliardini, Renauer and D'Amico. In GT Cup Venerosi took over from Baccani leading Tempesta and Bodega.

At lap 19, Mapelli found his way past Necchi for P3 and then was followed by team mate Zonzini. Sà Silva had a spectacular off that did not have any physical consequence for the driver.

The final laps lived strong emotions as Casè got Magli's slipstream. The driver from Bologna managed to fend off Scuderia Baldini 27's attacks for a while, but behind them the two Audis of Mapelli and Zonzini were closing in. The driver from St. Marin had to stop in the sand at lap 24 due to some brakes problems that ended his race early.

At the penultimate lap Casè had a go to Magli and managed to get past him at the Bucine corner. The two crossed the finish line in this order but Mapelli - third at the flag - got on the top step of the podium as the first two lineups were penalyzed due to a wrong drivers' change.

The fourth place went to Necchi, who led Beretta, Gagliardini, Renauer, Benucci, D'Amico, Mengozzi and Tempesta, as the latter, together with Iacone, won in GT Cup ahead of team mates "El Pato"-Zanardini and Baccani-Venerosi.

Photo credit: Italian GT Championship

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia drivers take on Mugello aiming at Italian GT victory No. 3

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Win Drought at the Tuscan Venue Now Dates Back to 2011
• Mapelli-Schoeffler, Capello-Zonzini Keen to Leave Monza Behind

Nibbiola (NO) – The 2014 Gran Turismo season resumes this weekend, and the Italian series seems still beaming with health: despite the summer date, which in the past draw less entries, especially from amateur drivers, Mugello will host another 25-car field, level with Monza and Misano Adriatico. Moreover, it should not be taken lightly that the 16-car mark in the top (GT3) class set in the Misano Adriatico opener was also within reach: in Tuscany there will be 15 GT3s, courtesy of a couple of late additions. In this land of plenty, balance is king and Audi standard bearers Marco Mapelli / Thomas Schoeffler (third 6 points adrift of provisional leading duo Vincenzo Donativi / Andrea Gagliardini) and Dindo Capello / Emanuele Zonzini (fifth with 11 points to make up from the top), have a common goal: to be the first drivers to repeat a victory in a season in which not only it's difficult to win, but even stepping on the podium is an achievement. If they were to do so in the lone Italian summer meeting (the rounds scheduled for late August are across the border in France at Paul Ricard) the drivers of the Audi R8 LMS ultra would be undertaking something akin to what in tennis would breaking the serve, giving them an edge on the best Ferrari and Porsche line-ups and putting themselves on the right path for the second half of the Italian GT "tournament".

If, a bit over a month ago, Monza disrupted Audi Sport Italia run to the 2014 Italian GT title with lackluster races, the drivers are poised to steer back into contention. And, in all sincerity, Mugello is one of the tracks that has never been favorable to the colors of Ingolstadt: to find an Audi success we must go back to 2011, when Marco Bonanomi and Andrea Sonvico did so at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS whose version "ultra" yet had to come. This year, however, the basis for tackling the difficult Tuscan track seems better than usual: first of all, that's the feeling relayed by a mid-June test session that all the Audi Sport Italia drivers but Capello (booked by the factory) took part to. It's a positive feedback confirmed as far as performance is concerned. Second: most likely those who will attend the meeting probably will think of a late spring weekend, rather than hacing to face the typical scorching heath that is common across the Apennines at the height of summer. That's not a trivial issue, as in the past R8s in Italy as well as abroad were not at their best when tracks were hit by heatwaves. Last but not least, the habit to keep fingers crossed for your car tyres seems to have been shelved for good; unfortunately this was common in the past two seasons, when a raft of blown rubber cost at least two probable Audi victories.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Audi points lead dades as safety-car beckons in Monza race two

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schoeffler Lead At The Start But Wind Up in P8
• Sixth Place For Dindo Capello And Emanuele Zonzini, Who Started From Pole

Monza – Today in round four of the Italian GT neither Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini--starting from pole position-- nor Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler --staying on top in the eight opening laps -- were able to claw their way to a podium finish.

Monza's homeboy Mapelli had a brilliant getaway at the start. The provisional points leader went on to fight boldly for the top spot with Lamborghini's Andrea Amici. However, Mapelli had to relinquish the lead to the swifter and ligther Gallardo, but both drivers' effort was soon hindered by a safety car period that took place on the brink of the mandatory pit stop. The closest pursuers pitted one lap earlier than both of them, whilst Schoeffler--who took over from Mapelli--finished in eighth place.

Pole-sitter Zonzini fought valiantly at the start of the race for fourth place with the Porsches that wound up sweeping the Top3. Capello, who resumed the race in P3 taking over from the young team mate, also found himself trailing the 997s driven by Gagliardini-Donations and Beretta-Carboni The Asti-based driver had soon to give way to Babini-Bianco's Porsche, as the braking was getting worse and he entangled himself with Ferrara-Magli's Ferrari eventually dropping to P6.

Sunday's meager box score translates in Mapelli and Schoeffler dropping from first to third in the championship tables, albeit only six points behind new leaders Donativi-Gagliardini. Capello, Zonzini are now five points adrift of team mates and eleven behind the new series leaders.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Good Monza qualifying dosn't yield outstanding race one results as Audi drivers rack up few points

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• 6th place keeps Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler afloat in Italian GT lead
• 10th place For Dindo Capello, Emanuele Zonzini, pair to start from pole tomorrow

Monza – After sealing a sweep Misano Adriatico, Audis aimed to haul in more points after both qualifying sessions had seen the German cars amid the GT3 elite.

As it is, Italian Gran Turismo leaders Thomas Schoeffler and Marco Mapelli at the end of the opening lap were occupying P8. Unfortunately a spin on lap three had the German driver dropping to eleventh place, a place that stuck 'til the mandatory pit stop. This position ultimately turned into a sixth place due to both the nice comeback race of homeboy Mapelli and mishaps that cluttered the runs of the opposition.

The points that came along this spot allowed the young Italian-German pair to remain in control of the series lead, altough level on points with Nicola Benucci--whose Ferrari finished fourth this afternoon in the hands of Gabriele Lancieri.

Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini, who took the start from the outside pole, early on were entangled in a duel with the Ferrari of Fmr-Audi driver Alex Frassineti (his team mate Piero Necchi eventually sealed off race one win) until lap six: then, at Parabolica corner, the Asti-based driver spun shelving for good their Saturday ambitions. Both 3-time Le Mans winner and former-single seater driver Zonzini were therefore set to stage a rally to make it back into the Top10.

Their target for tomorrow will be way more daring: the young San Marino-based driver claimed his first-ever GT pole position and he looks set to keep his outstanding position all the way, whereas Mapelli--who'll move from row two--will be eager to make a good haul of points in front of his home crowd, and Schoeffler is determined to build on his team mate effort.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Pole position for Dindo Capello and Audi Sport Italia at Monza

By Tarek Ramchani

The super fast Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is hosting the second round of the 2014 Italian GT Championship this weekend. Audi Sport Italia already performing well with their two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

The official Audi Italia dealer team secured a fine pole position in the second qualifying session today. The #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra in the hands of Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini set the best time in the session with a 1:48.068. Their team-mates Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler with the sister #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra ended in a very strong third.

Audi Sport Italia was strong in the first qualifying session as well. Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini were second right behind a Lamborghini Gallardo FL2 GT3. Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler qualified eighth for Race 1.

The Audi team dominated the opening round at Misano and was strong in both qualifying sessions today, no doubts they will be among the big favourites to take race wins

Race 1 is set for today at 17:20 local time, Race 2 will be held tomorrow at 15:50. We wish the best of luck to Audi Sport Italia and their drivers.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Dominant weekend for Audi Sport Italia at Misano

Audi Sport Italia Press Releases

Audi Sport Italia newcomers make waves in Italian GT: Emanuele Zonzini wins home race alongside Dindo Capello

• Marco Mapelli, Thomas Schoeffler get high marks but hit trouble 
• Misano Adriatico opener boasts healthy field and exciting racing

Misano Adriatico, Italy - Audi's twentieth season of racing involvement in Italy began in style with a stark success. Taking the start from row three in the first round of the Italian GT Championship, the R8 LMS ultra of Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini quietly rose through he ranks, then staging a comeback from P5 after the mandatory pit stop, with the 20-year old born in San Marino stubbornly making up ground until he could take the lead with five laps to go. Home boy Zonzini, who received accolades from Audi mainstay Capello for his run, has just moved to sportscars after a season spent in GP3, and he took the checkered flag ahead of a trio of Ferrari 458 Italy. Zonzini has not been the lone high-performing Audi Sport Italia newcomer. Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler have concluded the second round in P8, a result that fails to show their committment: the Monza-based driver had grabbed a stunning pole position and led until Lap14 (also posting the fastest lap in the process) in spite of electronic gremlins that hindered his early run and then forced him to give way to the competition just before the drivers swapped places. His German colleague was then blighted by these same problems until the end of the race, moreover having to fend off occasionally reckless moves from rivals. The young pair has a score to settle with luck now, and they could well do so as early as tomorrow morning, when the track named after Marco Simoncelli will host the second round of an Italian Gran Turismo, a series whose level is enviable this year after many under-average seasons.

Race one: 

1. CAPELLO-ZONZINI (AUDI) 30 laps 50'20.392
2. Lucchini-Pier Guidi (Ferrari)
3. Balzan-Benucci (Ferrari)
4. Giammaria-Casé (Ferrari)
5. Mora (Mercedes AMG)

Standings: 

1. CAPELLO/ZONZINI 20 points
2. Lucchini/Pier Guidi 15 pts. 
3. Balzan/Benucci 12 pts. 
4. Giammaria/Casé 8 pts.
5. Mora 7 pts.

At Misano Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler break their duck claiming race two and Italian Gran Turismo lead

• Accident shortens the race of Emanuele Zonzini and Dindo Capello 
• Audi Sport Italia crew now topping points standings after opener

Misano Adriatico, Italy – Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoeffler reply to Saturday victory of team mates Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini clinching the second round of the Italian GT Championship today at the Riviera venue named after Marco Simoncelli. The German-Italian couple (which started on pole yesterday before having their dreams shelved by an electrical problem) today was moving from row three with their Audi R8 LMS ultra and had to stage a comeback race, as the young German was eighth on the opening lap. With Zonzini closely behind him, the Singen-based EuroGTSprint champ began to press Stefano Pezzucchi's Porsche managing to move on the inside of him on lap seven. The move wasn't as smooth for the 20-year old from San Marino, who was pushed onto the grass at the last corner by the rival, therefore  dropping to P12. More bad news were still ahead for Zonzini, who on lap nine made contact at Sunset bend with Lorenzo Case's Ferrari. The two drivers went out and the safety car came in for a 6-lap spell. The pit stop benefitted Schoeffler's team mate Mapelli, who resumed the race in P3 after a near miss in the crowded pit lane with a GT Cup class Porsche. It was the start of the Lombard comeback, who as the track returned to green moved past Alvaro Barba's Ferrari on lap 16 and then grabbed P1 the following lap moving past Vincenzo Donativi's Porsche at the first corner. It was not the end of the day, for Mapelli, tho: the timekeepers mistakenly handed him a 10-second penalty, forcing him to push hard until the chequered flag, which the race one polesitter did, claiming the first place in front of the Ebimotors Porsche. After the prizegiving Mapelli and Schoeffler learned that their penalty had been uphold to the wrong pair of drivers, and besides their silverware they also got the 10-second plus edge that they had deservedly built on track on the opposition. After two rounds Mapelli and Schoeffler lead the points standings, three points ahead of unlucky Capello and Zonzini.

Race two:

1. MAPELLI-SCHOEFFLER (AUDI)   28 laps 50'13.481
2. Donativi-Gagliardini (Porsche)
3. Amici-Barri (Lamborghini)
4. Balzan-Benucci (Ferrari)
5. Babini-Bianco (Porsche)

Standings: 

1. MAPELLI/SCHOEFFLER 23 points
2. CAPELLO/ZONZINI 20 pts. 
3. Balzan/Benucci 19 pts. 
4. Pier Guidi/Lucchini 17 pts.
5. Donativi/Gagliaridini 15 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Clean sweep double victory for Audi Sport Italia at Misano

By Johan Laubscher

Misano hosted the opening round of the 2014 Italian GT Championship. Audi Sport Italia returned to the series with a two-car Audi R8 LMS ultra entry.

The Audi Italia dealer team fielded two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars for the driver duos of Dindo Capello alongside Emanuele Zonzini (#5) and Thomas Schöffler with Marco Mapelli (#6).

Qualifying saw the #6 Audi Sport Italia taking pole position for race one, followed by sixth on the grid for race two. The #5 Audi qualified sixth and tenth for the two races.

Audi Sport Italia celebrated victory in the first race of the 2014 season, as Dindo Capello and Emanuele Zonzini piloted the #5 R8 LMS ultra to first place. Their teammates finished eighth.

The second race of the weekend saw another victory for Audi Sport Italia. Thomas Schöffler with Marco Mapelli won race two with their #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra, making it a clean sweep for the Audi Italia dealer team. Their teammates unfortunately retired in the #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra.

Round two of the Italian GT Championship will be heading to Monza, 30 May - 1 June.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Dindo Capello and Audi Sport Italia victorious in Misano race 1

By Tarek Ramchani

A great and emotional race win today for Audi Sport Italia at Misano. The official Audi Italia dealer team victorious in the first race of the 2014 Italian GT Championship.

After a very hard 2013 season, Audi Sport Italia is showing great performances at Misano this weekend.
Dindo Capello and team-mate Zonzini Emanuele won the opening event with their #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra. The two drivers started from positin six and charged back to take the race lead and win after great battles on track with some Ferrari 458 GT3s.

Their team-mates Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoffler driving the #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra were unlucky. After taking a sensational pole position in qualifying  earlier today the two drivers finished in eighth place.

Race 2 is set for tomorrow. We wish good luck to Audi Sport Italia and their drivers.

Photo credit: Italian GT Championship.

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia heading to Misano with two Audi R8 LMS ultra

By Tarek Ramchani

The 2014 Italian GT Championship 2014 season will kick off at Misano World Circuit this upcoming weekend. Audi Sport Italia will enter the event with a pair of Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

The official Audi Italia dealer team is returning to Italian GT Championship for the sixth straight year. Since 2009 the team always been a big protagonist in the series with Marco Bonanomi title in 2011 as a highlight.

As was the case in recent years, Audi Sport Italia will field two cars. A familiar name and some new faces will share the driving of the two cars.

Dindo Capello a true Audi legend will target his first ever Italian GT driver title. He will share the #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra with Zonzini Emanuele. The sister #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra will be driven by Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoffler. These are two strong driver line-ups allowing Audi Sport Italia to challenge for race wins and the overall championship title.

At Misano the two Italian Audis will have to fight hard against a quality field. Seventeen GT3 cars are entering the season opener with teams from Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and Corvette.

Big change this year in Italian GT with Pirelli is back as the exclusive tire supplier replacing Avon.

Photo credit: Audi Media

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia R8 LMS ultra livery revealed

By Johan Laubscher

The new livery for Audi Sport Italia has been revealed ahead of the Italian GT season opener this upcoming weekend.

Audi Sport Italia will again be fielding two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars in the 2014 Italian GT Championship. 

The Audi Italia dealer team will be fielding the cars for the driver duos of Dindo Capello alongside Emanuele Zonzini and Thomas Schöffler with Marco Mapelli.

The team's new livery includes a design inspired by the colours of the Italian flag. 

Misano will be hosting the opening round of the Italian GT Championship from 9-11 May.

Photo credit: 
Audi Communications - Motorsport
Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia driver line-ups revealed - Dindo returns

By Johan Laubscher

Audi Sport Italia has already announced that they will be returning to the Italian GT Championship with a two-car entry of Audi R8 LMS ultra cars this year. On Wednesday the team's driver line-up was revealed. 

The headline for the team is the return of Audi Sport Italia regular and ex-Audi factory driver, Dindo Capello. Dindo first competed with Audi and Audi Sport Italia twenty years ago, when he drove an Audi 80 Competition in the 1994 Italian Super Touring Car Championship. 

Capello will be sharing one of the two Audi Sport Italia R8 LMS ultra cars with Emanuele Zonzini.

The second car will be piloted by Thomas Schöffler and Marco Mapelli.

Misano will be hosting the opening round of the Italian GT Championship from 9-11 May.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia