The 2012 International Superstars Series has officially been launched at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia (one of the worlds best museums in terms of Science and Technology) – the series is ready to live up to its statement of being “The State of the Art in World Car Racing”.
2012 will see an international calendar, with the series making its Asian debut at the end of the season as the Championship heads to Indonesia and the historic Sentul circuit. Before the trip to Indonesia, the series will visit three Italian based circuits (Monza, Imola and Vallelunga) as well as four other European circuits (Spa-Francorchamps, Portimao, Hungaroring and Donington Park).
FG Group President Maurizio Flammini had already announced further expansions for 2013 and 2014, with a race in the USA being planned for 2013 while Brazil is on the radar for the 2014 calendar.
As well as the calendar, another key part of the Championship are the drivers, and joining the field for 2012 is former Force India and HRT Formula One driver, Vitantonio Liuzzi. Liuzzi joins the CAAL Racing team in one of their Mercedes C63 AMG racers, and he said about the deal to join the Superstars series: “I’m persuaded that SUPERSTARS is a great choice to open yourself to other categories than F1.
“It really fits for me, considering my adaptable nature. SUPERSTARS is a really important championship that lines-up great drivers and teams. I’m sure that this season will be extremely spectacular”
Liuzzi joins previously announced Gianni Morbidelli and Thomas Biagi on the grid. Morbidelli is in the Audi RS5 while Biagi drives a BMW M3.
Other drivers confirmed were Christian Fittipaldi, who will share a Swiss Team Maserati Quattroporte with another former Formula One racer, Mika Salo, while Johnny Herbert and Ananda Mikola are expected to be on the grid in 2012.
The event in Milan also saw the contract signed between Superstars and Hankook tyres. The Asian tyre manufacturer already supplies the DTM series and will supply the Superstars series with a high performance product.
Monza hosts the opening round of the 2012 International Superstars Series over the 31 March/1 April.