Victim of crippling food poisoning following the ingestion of infected food (seafood) last Sunday, Danilo spent a very difficult week and arrived in Japan tired and emaciated.
This Friday morning, Petrux was in average shape having also suffered a seven-hour time difference. The first free practice session didn't go so badly, however, and Danilo found himself in the middle of the pack with the twelfth time out of 24 participants. In 1'57.3, he was 2.2 behind the leader Marc Marquez.
The second session was clearly more positive, both for the man who found strength and smile, and for his Ducati Desmosedici which was credited with the best points speed with 299,0 km/h. Petrucci thus progressed to sixth position, with a time of 1'55.5. He had gained almost two seconds compared to his morning time, and was only 0.6 behind the best time, to be credited toAndrea Dovizioso.
To Danilo Petrucci, “It’s been a good day. It's a special track, where we have excellent front grip but we will have to improve in the braking zones. »
“In FP2 I did a long run with a very good pace. I missed my fast lap, but I'm satisfied. We will have to work a little on the settings, but I am confident that we will be able to stay with the leading group. »
Ranking :
- Andrea Dovizioso-Ducati Team (GP17) 1'54.877
- Marc Marquez-Repsol Honda (RC213V) 1'54.920 +0.043
- Aleix Espargaro-Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1'55.061 +0.184
- Jorge Lorenzo-Ducati Team (GP17) 1'55.234 +0.357
- Johann Zarco-Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1) 1'55.468 +0.591
- Danilo Petrucci-Octo Pramac (GP17) 1'55.541 +0.664
- Andrea Iannone-Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1'55.614 +0.737
- Dani Pedrosa-Repsol Honda (RC213V) 1'55.773 +0.896
- Cal Crutchlow-LCR Honda (RC213V) 1'56.149 +1.272
- Alex Rins-Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1'56.229 +1.352
- Maverick Viñales-Movistar Yamaha (YZR-M1) 1'56.376 +1.499
- Valentino Rossi-Movistar Yamaha (YZR-M1) 1'56.435 +1.558
- Kohta Nozane-Monster Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1) 1'56.453 +1.576
- Scott Redding-Octo Pramac (GP16) 1'56.680 +1.803
- Karel Abraham-Pull&Bear Aspar (GP15) 1'56.776 +1.899
- Alvaro Bautista-Pull&Bear Aspar (GP16) 1'56.827 +1.950
- Bradley Smith-Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 1'56.853 +1.976
- Pol Espargaro-Red Bull KTM Factory (RC16) 1'56.872 +1.995
- Sam Lowes-Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1'57.250 +2.373
- Loris Baz-Reale Avintia (GP15) 1'57.259 +2.382
- Hector Barbera-Reale Avintia (GP16) 1'57.540 +2.663
- Hiroshi Aoyama-EG 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1'57.548 +2.671
- Tito Rabat-EG 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1'57.645 +2.768
- Katsuyuki Nakasuga-Yamaha Factory (YZR-M1) 1'58.341 +3.464
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 Marc MARQUEZ-Honda 224 points
2 Andrea DOVIZIOSO-Ducati 208
3 Maverick VIÑALES-Yamaha 196
4 Dani PEDROSA-Honda 170
5 Valentino ROSSI-Yamaha 168
6 Johann ZARCO-Yamaha 117
7 Jorge LORENZO-Ducati 106
8 Danilo PETRUCCI-Ducati 95
9 Cal CRUTCHLOW-Honda 92
10 Jonas FOLGER-Yamaha 84
11 Alvaro BAUTISTA-Ducati 70
12 Jack MILLER-Honda 56
13 Scott REDDING-Ducati 56
14 Aleix ESPARGARO-Aprilia 53
15 Loris BAZ-Ducati 39
16 Andrea IANNONE-Suzuki 37
17 Pol ESPARGARO-KTM 37
18 Karel ABRAHAM-Ducati 28
19 Tito RABAT-Honda 28
20 Alex RINS-Suzuki 27
Photos © Pramac Racing, screenshot Pramac & Dorna TV