Video: A new star is born - the Audi RS5

By Johan Laubscher

The video title basically says it all; the new Audi RS5 in the Italian Superstars Series has been a sensation straight out of the box. The new car that had fans waiting in anticipation during 2011 came onto the racing scene in 2012 had has taken its first victories in only its second race weekend. Three short videos bellow regarding the new Audi RS5s built by Audi Sport Italia. The first is a short piece about the car followed by two videos showing the RS5s first two race wins which were at Imola with Johan Kristofferson dominating the race weekend. Enjoy:  

Photo by Audi Sport Italia

More information:

Audi Sport Italia official Facebook

Superstars Series official website

Superstars Series official Facebook 

Audi RS5 feature video

Superstars at Imola - Race 1 Highlights

Superstars at Imola - Race 2 Highlights

Audi RS5 and Johan Kristoffersson dominate Superstars at Imola

By Johan Laubscher

The second round of the Italian Superstars series was held at Imola and it got off to a fast start for the Audi RS5s. Johan Kristoffersson was immediately fast in practice along with the other two Audis. In qualifying all three Audis finished in the top seven with Johan Kristoffersson taking his maiden pole position. Thomas Schoffler took seventh and Gianni Morbidelli fourth. The first race was an Audi formation, Morbidelli quickly moved up to second behind Johan Kristoffersson and the two Audi RS5s moved away from the field. The two battled hard until Morbidelli tried to pass Kristoffersson on the last lap but contact occurred which damaged Morbidelli's RS5 and dropped him to seventeenth with his car engulfed in flames. Johan Kristoffersson came through to win the race, a remarkable victory in the young Swede’s rookie year and his first race at Imola. Thomas Schoffler finished ninth in his first race with the RS5. Race two would see complete domination by the young Swedish driver Johan Kristoffersson. He made it a successful double for the weekend and a fact to behold: every session of the weekend in which he competed he was fastest/the winner (he did not take part in practice session two). Thomas Schoffler completed the Audi success with a top five finish and Morbidelli finished lower down in race 2.

More information:

Superstars Series official website

Superstars Series official Facebook

Audi Sport Italia official Facebook

 

Superstars at Imola - Race 1 Highlights

Superstars at Imola - Race 2 Highlights

 

Photos hosted at http://www.superstars.it/

Johan Kristoffersson - Kristoffersson Motorsport - Audi RS5

Gianni Morbidelli - Audi Sport Italia - Audi RS5

Thomas Schoffler - MTM Motorsport - Audi RS5

Audi RS5s sweep V8 Superstars at Imola

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

Audi RS5s sweep V8 Superstars pole, wins and fastes laps at Imola, propelling Johan Kristoffersson to points standings lead

Audi Sport Italia's Gianni Morbidelli posts fastest laps in both rounds but DNF twice; Thomas Schoeffler signs off first race in MTM RS5 with solid fifth place in Race 2 

Imola proved unforgettable in several ways for Audi Sport Italia's 2012 Superstars effort. The RS5s --all built at Emilio Radaelli's outfit -- claimed pole position, both Sunday wins and moreover both fastest laps today at the former F.1 venue.

Johan Kristoffersson may have had only two Superstars meetings under his belt, but he enjoyed his best race weekend in the FG Group-sanctioned series at Imola winning both races. He clinched the opening round with a lights to flag run fending off pressure from fellow Audi driver Gianni Morbidelli then adding a comeback win in the afternoon, when he also had to overcome gearbox gremlins in the closing stages. He leapfrogged previous points leader Max Pigoli and stays on top by 2 points over former champ Thomas Biagi.

Kristofferrsson had assumed the lead in Race 1 after making a great getaway from pole position in his KMS-run RS5, frantically nipping Andrea Larini's AMG Mercedes for the best line at the braking point of Turn 1 and building a small cushion on the closest pursuers. The quickest Audi on track early in Race 1 may well have been Gianni Morbidelli's 

Camozzi RS5: the Audi Sport Italia-run car started fitfth but quickly Morbidelli got rid of the quickest AMG Mercedeses and Biagi's M3 BMW, making it a 1-2 race for Audi on lap 5. Then Morbidelli improved the fastest lap three successive times and got stuck behind the car #46 fender on lap 8. The Audi pair then staged a fiery duel, and they did not refrain from knocking some fenders. In spite of both drivers reporting some minor ailment to their respective cars, the winner was decided on a nail-biting final lap, when Morbidelli's car at the Tosa corner hit Kristoffersson's rear end. Apparently the KMS RS5 bumper hook pierced the car #45 car oil cooler, which ignited a fire that was quickly extinguished -- but none the less stripped the Audi brand of a 1-2 finish. The third RS5, entered in the hands of Thomas Schoeffler, posted a promising ninth place. The German teenager was keen to give a hard time in the closing laps to fellow rookie Andrea Boffo and his AMG Mercedes for P8.

Race 2 started with the KMS RS5 on row 4 on the mandatory reversed grid, one row in front of the sister MTM RS5. Audi Sport Italia's RS5 had to make do with a dismal row 9, but this did not seem a concern at all for Morbidelli, as the former F-1 driver carved his way through the field and on lap 2 he had already sneaked back in the Top10. Another couple of laps later he had moved up to seventh, but a tangle at Acque Minerali corner with Monza winner Max Pigoli triggered Race Control to hastily call in the #45 car for a drive through penalty. Morbidelli resumed the race and posted his second successive fastest lap, but on lap 12 he drove back in the pitlane reporting gearbox trouble and retiring.

Kristoffersson's RS5 had followed suit as far comeback racing is concerned, as it just took six laps to the silver KMS Audi to move inside the Top3. The 23-year old from Arvika quickly disposed of Biagi's BMW, staging then a nice and neat duel with fellow rookie Andrea Boffo. A move on the inside of the Italian driver's AMG Mercedes gave the lead to the #46 Audi. It was just not meant to be a stroll from then on for the lanky Swede, as the KMS RS5 suffered gearbox trouble, and he had to nurse a stricken car in the final two laps to secure as well as his second win the top spot in the points standings, two points ahead of former champ Thomas Biagi. The latter was also Race 2 runner-up and in the parc ferme he complained loud about the plume of smoke that the ailing leading car was dispensing. None the less the stewards confirmed the standings, an outcome to be remmbered also courtesy of the MTM RS5 posting a surprising fifth place. The afternoon race finally allowed Thomas Schoeffler to concentrate on driving -- Imola was his first time in the car as he had been sitting in an old RS4 atr Monza -- and he showed promise making up spots from row 5 on the grid and neatly duelling with former F.1 Brazilian driver Christian Fittipaldi. Schoeffler could not get past the Maserati, but the pair pushed each other until they were able to strip Stefano Gabellini's BMW of fourth place during the final lap.

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES

Round 3 - Imola, April 22, 2012

1. JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON (AUDI RS5) 15 laps 27:39.500 average speed 161.449 kph

2. Andrea Larini (AMG Mercedes) + 8.039s

3. Thomas Biagi (BMW) +13.888s

4. Francesco Sini (Chevrolet) + 20.293s

5. Christian Fittipaldi (Maserati) + 26.685s

../..

9. THOMAS SCHÖFFLER (AUDI RS5) + 35.706s

../..

17. GIANNI MORBIDELLI(AUDI RS5) + 1 lap

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES

Round 4 - Imola, April 22, 2012

. JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON (AUDI RS5) 15 laps 28:01.915 average speed 157.610 kph

2. Thomas Biagi (BMW) + 3.317s

3. Andrea Boffo (AMG Mercedes) + 11.956s

4. Christian Fittipaldi (Maserati) + 16.212s

5. THOMAS SCHÖFFLER (AUDI RS5) + 16.497s

../..

14. GIANNI MORBIDELLI (AUDI RS5) + 3 laps

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES 2012

Drivers' Points Standings:

1. KRISTOFFERSSON 53 points; 2.  Biagi 51 pts.; Liuzzi 34 pts.; 3. Pigoli, Liuzzi e Larini 42 pts.; 6. Sini 27 pts.; 7. Boffo 21 pts.; 8. Fittipaldi 20 pts.; 9. MORBIDELLI 18 pts.; 10. Gabellini 17 pts.; ../..

12. SCHÖFFLER 14 pts.

WHAT'S NEXT:

Rounds 5&6 - Donington Park (GB) May 20, 2012.

Johan Kristoffersson with the Audi RS5 on pole position at Imola's Superstars Series

By Tarek Ramchani

The brand new Audi RS5 from Audi Sport Italia debuted at Monza and did quite well. Today the big V8 powered coupe did even better by taking a storming pole position.

Right from the start at Imola the Audi RS5 was among the fastest on track. In the first free practice session, Swedish rookie Johan Kristofferson was the quickest with his #46 Audi. Gianni Morbidelli with the #45 car from Audi Sport Italia finished in a very strong third. The third Audi RS5 of Thomas Schoffler driving for MTM Motorsport was fourteenth. In the second free practice session, Gianni Morbidelli got a nice third. Schoffler was tenth, while Kristofferson didn't take part of that session

In the qualifying session the three Audi RS5 cars were really strong. Johan Kristofferson set the fastest time and took a great pole position. A brilliant result for the Swedish youngster at his second Superstars Series event and he has never been at the Imola circuit before. The strong performance of the Audi RS5 was completed by a great fourth place finish for Gianni Morbidelli. The MTM run car of Thomas Schoffler landed in seventh, last time out the young German driver raced the old B7 Audi RS4. A very good job from the three Audi teams.

At Monza the Audi RS5 was really strong for its debut. This weekend at Imola, the car is clearly one of the strongest, if not the strongest of the field. Starting from pole will give extra chances for Audi to take its first win of the season in the demanding Superstars Series. Both races are set for tomorrow at the famous Enzo & Dino Ferrari circuit.

Qualifying Results:
1 - Johan Kristoffersson - Audi RS5
2 - Andrea Larini - AMG Mercedes-Benz C63
3 - Thomas Biagi - BMW M3
4 - Gianni Morbidelli - Audi RS5
5 - Tonio Liuzzi - AMG Mercedes-Benz C63
6 - Francesco Sini - Chevrolet Lumina
7 - Thomas Schoffler - Audi RS5

Photo Credits: International Superstars Series and Audi Sport Italia

Brand-new RS5s battle back on Sunday at Monza in 2012 V8 Superstars opening

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

After eventful Saturday, Sweden's Johan Kristofferson clinches rookies' standings in round 1 and Audi Sport Italia's star Gianni Morbidelli picks up fifth place in Race 2 after vying for podium

When Audi Sport Italia's hauler unloaded two brand-new RS5s at noon on Friday at the famed Italian venue, cars were kind of smelling fresh paint and shiny bodywork. But no mileage under their belts meant that on Saturday teething troubles hindered both Gianni Morbidelli and Johan Kristoffersson, spoiling their plans to put in as many laps as possible in order to overcome their lack of familiarity with the latest Audi weapon for the up-and-coming V8 Superstars series, based on production-based beefy sedans and coupes. Audi Sport Italia runs and operates Morbidelli's RS5.

The former F-1 driver was sidelined in Qualifying due to a wiring loom problem, while Kristoffersson  -- whose car is run by Sweden- based KMS -- managed to clinch a spot on Row 7 in spite of drivetrain trouble. With both RS5s reeling it was Thomas Schoeffler's turn to roll. He's to wait until Imola to make acquaintance with his own MTM Motosport-run RS5, but the surprising 19-year old German, in a one-off outing in a RS4 seat was able to improve the quickest lap set last season by such a model by nearly eight tenths of a second, clinching a spot on Row 6 -- the best Audi man on Race 1 starting grid. None the less the summer-like Italian Saturday also provided a ray of hope for the Audi tent: Kristoffersson set the third fastest time in Free Practice 2, the only trouble-free spell available to either new car driver. The Swede was only six tenths of a second off the quickest AMG Mercedes.

Race 1 confirmed that the KMS RS5 will be a force to be reckoned this season, as at the start the driver from Arvika, Sweden grabbed a Top10 spot on the opening lap and moved up the field until he caught the tail of Mika Salo's Maserati Quattroporte, putting enough pressure on the Italian car to force the former F-1 driver to go wide at the first corner on lap 11. The fifth spot was more than enough to enable the Swede to hoist the silverware reserved for the best rookie. In spite of moving from the last row Morbidelli scythed through the field at the start and on lap 11 had already climbed to a promising 11th place. A 4-lap safety-car spell form lap 4 to lap 7 bunched up the field together, and Morbidelli rallied further as the green flag was waved, clinching at the checker a pretty good seventh place. Schoeffler, in the old RS4, had to bide his time and wound up 12th, in spite of creepy drivetrain noise looming in the final minutes.

Early in Race 2 vibrations and a puncture urged Schoeffler to stop in a run off area to avoid further damage to the MTM RS4. Kristoffersson managed to put in even less laps, as he too stopped on the circuit when a plume of smoke trailed his KMS RS5. Nonetheless Morbidelli's RS5 proved that it was his time to get the spotlights, and starting form the front row on the reversed grid effortlessly joined a spectacular fray for P3 alongside Mika Salo's Maserati and Mercedes duo Andrea Larini and Nico Caladarola. By mid-race Morbidelli got past them all and even looked set to mount a chase to the leading AMG Mercedes C63. Sadly a much anticipated dog-fight between former F-1 drivers failed to materialize as pacesetter Tonio Liuzzi could take some respite for a quick full course caution. But the remaining two laps frustrated Morbidelli's effort as pick-up problems hampered the Pesaro-born ace. Morbidelli managed to cling on to a fifth place at the finish line, whilst Liuzzi claimed his maiden V8 Superstars win. The former Red Bull Junior is now second in the drivers' point standings five points adrift of leader Massimo Pigoli, who won Race 1 in his XF Jaguar and was runner-up the afternoon. Morbidelli is currently sixth, 25 points down the order, whilst Kristofferson is also in the Top10 at eigth 29 points behind Pigoli.

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES

Round 1 - Monza, April 1, 2012

1. Massimo Pigoli (Jaguar) 13 laps 28.35.422 average speed 180.014 kph

2. Andrea Larini (AMG Mercedes) + 0.414s

3. Tonio Liuzzi (AMG Mercedes) +1.243s

4. Thomas Biagi (BMW) + 3.671s

5. JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON (AUDI RS5) + 3.699s

../..

7. GIANNI MORBIDELLI(AUDI RS5) + 7.010s

../..

12. THOMAS SCHÖFFLER (AUDI RS4) + 34.137s

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES

Round 2 - Monza, April 1, 2012

1. Vitantonio Liuzzi (AMG Mercedes) 13 laps 26:58.452 average speed 179.476 kph

2.  Massimo Pigoli (Jaguar) + 1.153s

3. Francesco Sini (Chevrolet) + 1.602s

4. Thomas Biagi (BMW) + 3.190s

5. GIANNI MORBIDELLI (AUDI RS5) + 3.219s

../..

Ret. JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON (AUDI RS5)

Ret. THOMAS SCHÖFFLER (AUDI RS4)

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS SERIES 2012

Drivers Points Standings:

1. Pigoli 39 points; 2.  Liuzzi 34 pts.; 3. Biagi 22 pts.;

4. Larini 21 pts.; 5. Sini 15 pts.; 6. MORBIDELLI 14 pts.; 7. Caldarola 11 pts. 8. KRISTOFFERSSON 10 pts.; 9. Salo 8 pts.; 10. Gabellini 5 pts.; ../.. 18. SCHÖFFLER 2 pts.

WHAT'S NEXT:

Race 3 and 4 - Imola (I) April 22nd, 2012.

 

Photos by Audi Sport Italia

Audi Sport Italia RS5 - positive debut at Monza

 By Johan Laubscher

The debut of the Audi RS5 in the Italian Superstars championship has been one that the fans have been waiting to see for a very long time. Two of the new RS5 race cars debuted at the first round of the 2012 Superstars season at Monza and the cars did not disappoint.

The first long awaited photos of the car landed on the internet on the Friday of the race weekend and there was immediately a buzz surrounding the look of the new RS5. Some love it, some hate it, but you have to admit it has an extremely aggressive appearance. Two of the new cars were ready and were driven by Italian Gianni Morbidelli (Audi Sport Italia) and Swede Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport). The third RS5 was not ready in time for the Monza event and the third driver Thomas Schöffler (MTM Motorsport) drove one of the older RS4 cars.

The weekend got off to a rocky start in practice with the new cars having quite a few problems. Johan Kristoffersson did show the potential of the car in free practice 2 by setting the third fastest time. Thomas Schöffler had strong showings in the old car an even qualified 11th. Qualifying was a disaster for the RS5s with no Audis in the top 10, both RS5 cars had difficulties.

Johan Kristoffersson #46 RS5 leads Gianni Morbidelli #45 RS5 during race 1

As race day dawned Audi fans feared for a bad day, but these fears were unnecessary. All three Audis stormed into the top 10 in race 1. The Audi front being led by Johan Kristoffersson and a charging Gianni Morbidelli who had started at the back of the grid. Johan held his own in his debut race to finish fifth and Morbidelli finished in seventh. Schöffler was in the top 10 for most of the race but dropped to twelfth in the closing laps.

Race two saw Gianni Morbidelli charging at the front in a battle for the lead. He held second position for the closing phases of the race, but right at the end of the race Gianni Morbidelli lost second place and eventually finished in fifth. However he was clearly one of the fastest cars on the track, backed up by his lap time figures. Both his teammates unfortunately retired from race 2.

The new RS5 has silenced the critics, the car clearly has potential and its 4.2 V8 engine can more than hold its own with the big V8 monsters in the Italian Superstars series. A very strong race debut and Audi fans are looking forward to the next round of the series set for Imola on the 22^nd of April.

Cover photo by Stefano Ciabattoni
All other photos are hosted at Superstars.it

More Information:

Audi Sport Italia FB fans page 

Superstars Series FB page 

Superstars Series website 

Video highlights of race 1

Video highlights of race 2

Gianni Morbidelli #45 RS5 (Audi Sport Italia)

 Johan Kristoffersson #46 RS5 (Kristoffersson Motorsport)

Thomas Schöffler #47 RS4 (MTM Motorsport)

Emilio Radaelli team manager of Audi Sport Italia talks about 2012 Superstars season

From Superstars Series 

Emilio Radaelli: "Our goal is to win SUPERSTARS and stay at the front in GTSPRINT" 

Audi Sport Italia Team Manager Emilio Radaelli talks about the new Audi RS5 for SUPERSTARS while waiting to field an Audi R8 LMS in GTSPRINT

Audi Sport Italia Team Manager Emilio Radaelli has an incredibly successful reputation, and is ready to get the job done again in 2012. After having cruised to title with the Audi RS4 in 2007 and 2008, the Novara-based squad is looking forward to repeat with the RS5 model this season.

"The RS5 - says Radaelli - is the natural evolution of the RS4's concept. It has the same strengths but, of course, is a 10 year younger project with much better performance as a result. The main advantage of the RS5 is Audi DNA in terms of engineering: the engine is closer to the center of the car and that's an huge advantage. It turns out that the car has a great balance. Unlike other brands, Audi is always looking forward to a better balance between the chassis and the engine. It's not just a matter of increasing the power, but also having the right amount of power necessary to take full advantage of the car's potential."

There are two pillars in this season's line-up. The successful pairing with Gianni Morbidelli and the support given to two European teams at their SUPERSTARS debut, how did the decision come?

“Audi Sport Italia is the Italian outfit of Audi Sport and having an all-italian team/driver pair was key. Morbidelli has raced with us for a long time, cruising to the win the Italian Championship in 2007 and 2008 and we're sure he will be able to keep our banner high with the RS5 too. We then managed to bring some international squads in SUPERSTARS. They were interested and already tied to Audi, and will take full advantage of our know-how despite working in full autonomy. We will have the same structure but everyone will speak in their language. Audi Sport MTM is lining-up with youngster Thomas Schoeffler, who will be at his learning year. Swedish racer Johan Kristofferson has more experience but mainly at local level: he only raced in Germany and Sweden and will be followed by the KMS team."

The last question is about the Audi R8 LMS, will it be back in GTSPRINT?

“Our interest, and we already working on it, is to be able to field it from Mugello: we want to line-up with the R8 LMS for a complete program after last year's part-time appearances. We will make it official as soon as we will be delivered the new car."

More Information:

Audi Sport Italia on Facebook

Superstars Series official website

Gianni Morbidelli previewing 2012 and the new Audi RS5

From Superstars.it

Gianni Morbidelli won several SUPERSTARS titles, two of them with Audi Sport Italia, and now the Pesaro-born Former formula 1 racer will be back aboard the brand-new Audi RS5. After taking some rest, he's now ready to tackle the challenge.

SUPERSTARS is almost ready to go and you? What did you do over the winter?

I anxiously waited for this season to start! I'm really excited and can't wait to get in the new car. In addition to planning the season together with Audi and the sponsors, I played a lot of golf as I'm a great fan of that sport. As a professional, I also took care of my shape, so a lot of training for 2012!

What are the next steps for the RS5?

I'll be at the team's headquarters on Monday and I hope to be on-track in the first days of March. We're still completing some work on the RS5, but she'll be ready soon.

What do you expect from this season?

We're expecting a lot from this season especially because there's a multi-year deal behind it. I have two years in front of me and that enabled us to see things in a different way than, for example, when you have just one season and really strict times. Of course, I always try not to underestimate anyone, as there's a bunch of great competitors in this championship. We know that the car will need some development, but we can't hide that we're looking forward to be really competitive right from the start.

Audi has been really supportive in the new car's development, is that a key aspect?

The interest showed by Audi is really important to us. In addition to the engineering help they gave, they are believing in this project as confirmed by the two works Volkswagen drivers set to be lined-up with the new car. It's a further proof of how SUPERSTARS is being perceived like a benchmark series also outside the Italian borders. The quality of the competition is so hight it can't be ignored...

Have you already though about where the RS5 will be more competitive?

It's tough to say. Thanks to its great chassis we expect it to be competitive almost everywhere. Last year we sometimes performed very well with the old RS4 and like its predecessor, the new car will have its strongest point in the handling. The only issue is on the engine compartment as there will be no major improvements compared, for example, to Mercedes. I'm confident though. This series is great in balancing the performance of cars that are so different between each other. Someone counts on high power, someone on the handling. That said, there's still a lot to discover...

More infos here:

Audi Sport Italia page on Facebook

International Superstars Series official website

Photo credits: Superstars Series

Farewell Audi RS4 quattro Superstars 2006-2011

By Tarek Ramchani

The Audi RS4 from Audi Sport Italia raced in 2011 its last season ever, after a long and successful career in the Italian based Superstars Series, a touring car championship open for big V8 sedans. The car based on the B7 model is the only AWD racer of the field with its quattro, and powered by a 4.2L FSI producing around 420bhp.

Introduced in 2006 replacing the old at that time Audi RS6. Tthe car was immediatly winning, enough to give Audi Sport Italia the teams title. Drivers were  Dindo Capello, Giorgio Sanna and female Tamara Vidali. The following year the team signed touring car ace Gianni Morbidelli. He won in the end the drivers championship title and did the same in 2008 dominating the BMW M5 and Jaguars S-Type. From the 2009 season, the car started to struggle, against new models from BMW and AMG Mercedes-Benz. Worst in 2010, only the drivers skills pushed the car to some good results and few victories, with young Alberto Cola and Audi star Filipe Albuquerque. For 2011, the RS4 was completely outpaced. Gianni Morbidelli who rejoined the team in the second half of the season, was able to push the RS4 to its limits. Some good results come  as at Vallelunga where he narrowly missed the victory in the final race of the season, the last one for the Audi RS4 after 6 long seasons.

For 2012, Audi Sport Italia is set to join the Superstars Series with a brand new Audi RS5, more news on that very soon.

Photo credit : Superstars Series