Photo: Superstars Media

Bertolini wins race and title – Cerqui claims Italian title

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Andrea Bertolini won the race and the title in an eventful second hear at Vallellunga. The Maserati driver took the chequered flag ahead of Gianni Morbidelli and Alessandro Pier Guidi.

Bertolini retained the lead at the start ahead of team mate Pier Guidi, as Johnny Herbert went up to third, ahead of Cerqui. At the second lap Ferrara and Biagi made contact, both losing time, while Herbert let team mate Max Pigoli through.

Meanwhile Morbidelli started the show, overtaking Cerqui for fifth and then Johnny Herbert for fourth. On lap 10 Pigoli and Morbidelli overtook Pier Guidi, the pair chasing Bertolini for the lead.

Former Grand Prix driver Morbidelli overtook Pigoli and went on to finish in second, right behind Bertolini who claimed both the race victory and the title. Pigoli slipped down to fourth due to cooling problems, which allowed Pier Guidi to take the final podium spot. Johnny Herbert took a strong fifth ahead of Cerqui, who won the Italian Superstars Series.

Gabellini finished in seventh ahead of Ferrara, who lost the championship lead right at the last race, Michela Cerruti and 2010 Champion Thomas Biagi.

Bertolini won the championship with a 13 point margin over Ferrara and 15 points over Cerqui. Thomas Biagi claimed fourth, a further 16 points adrift. BMW Italia’s Alberto Cerqui secured the Italian Series title, having scored 12 points more than Max Pigoli and 15 more than Ferrara.