Motorsport News
Campionato Italiano GT3: Audi Sport Italia R8 LMS Moves Closer to Top of Points Standings after Second and Fourth Place at Mugello Circuit
By source: Audi Sport Italia
Jun 22, 2009, 22:09

Round 5 and 6 of the Italian GT3 Championship at the demanding Mugello circuit were claimed by Italian brands Ferrari and Lamborghini, but after the first summer race meeting Audi Sport Italia's pair Dindo Capello and Giorgio Sanna is just six points removed from the series lead, currently held by Gianluca De Lorenzi and Stefano Borghi in a Porsche Carrera S.

Saturday race was quiet for the winning Ferrari -- that with Stefano Livio and Lorenzo Bontempelli at the wheel led lights to flag -- as well as for the R8 LMS Audi... until one lap to go, that is. Capello was indeed safely driving home second, when the rear left tyre blew and he dropped out of the podium spots, claiming anyway a helpful fourth place. Sunday added to Capello's woes when, after rejoining the race in the lead after taking over from Sanna, the 3-time Le mans winner run was hindered by sudden rain and by a safety car period that cut short his 16-second lead. On a wet track the leaders went to the chequered flag on slicks, but Capello struggled to cope with the cold, hard compound of his big rear Pirelli tyres, whilst the Lamborghinis recovered, making the best of their narrower rear tyres and softer compound, with former F3000 driver Matteo Grassotto nipping Capello in the closing lap and sportscar driver Giacomo Piccini taking the flag with his nose snapping at the R8 LMS' tail. Nevertheless, the points claimed in Tuscany helped the Audi pair to shave their gap from the championship leaders, who clinched a meager 4 points on Sunday after posting a 7th place.


Mugello, Italy, June 20 2009
Italian GT Championship Round 5:
1. Stefano Livio-Lorenzo Bontempelli (Ferrari) 26 laps 53:08.648, average speed 153.962 kph
2. G. De Lorenzi-S. Borghi (Porsche) +a 16.254
3. S. Earle-F. LaMazza (Ferrari) a 18.692
4. DINDO CAPELLO-GIORGIO SANNA (AUDI R8 LMS) + 1:45.796
5. M.Grassotto-A.Baso (Lamborghini) + 1 lap

Mugello, Italy, June 21, 2009
Italian GT Championship Round 6:
1. . Matteo Grassotto-Adriano Baso (Lamborghini) 22 laps 49:07.435 average speed 140.937 kph
2. DINDO CAPELLO-GIORGIO SANNA (AUDI R8 LMS) + 1.526
3. G. Piccini-F.Geri (Lamborghini) + 2.340
4. E.Moncada-N.Valentini (Corvette) + 27.578
5. R.Bianco-M.Meneghello (Dodge) + 59.089

Points standings after 6 of 14 rounds:
1. De Lorenzi-Borghi 61 points; 3. Livio-Bontempelli 57 pts.; 5. CAPELLO-SANNA 55 pts.; 7. Grassotto-Baso 52 pts.; 9. Piccini-Geri 27 pts.

Next event: Misano, July 19, 2009 - rounds 7 & 8

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