Danilo Petrucci will team up with Andrea Dovizioso in 2019. A great opportunity to stand out for someone who will now race on an official Ducati.
The Italian driver will, however, have to prove himself. Not an easy task for petrux, whose best result this season is to have finished second at the French Grand Prix, at Le Mans. Its usual results oscillate more generally between sixth and twelfth place.
The duration of his contract is thus set at one year, with the possibility of renewing it for an additional season, i.e. until 2020. And one thing is certain, he will have to work hard. Because within the Ducati Pramac team from which he himself comes, the riders Jack Miller et Francis Bagnaia are already eyeing the beautiful official Rouge, which they dream of riding in 2020.
His manager, Alberto Vergani as well as Marco Melandri, the former 250cc World Champion, believe in Petrucci and his chances in 2019. As relayed by speedweek, Vergani has indicated : “My goal with Danilo was to bring him into an official team and see him win. He is an exceptional person who embodies values. He is ready for the official team. He was on the podium six times with a private team. The Pramac team's bike was certainly competitive but not as competitive as that of the official team. The official team's bike has a little something extra and it has to win. »
Vergani then mentioned the salary paid by Ducati to the Italian rider, well below what it should be compared to the riders who occupied the place before him: “It’s true that he never won. Lorenzo got 25 million euros for two seasons. It's normal that with so much money you expect victories in return. Stoner won the title with this salary. The official team is a great opportunity for Danilo, the money will come by itself. He needed a motorbike to help him win, and that's now a reality. Now, “all that’s left to do”. »
The manager of petrux is also aware that the Terni driver needs to upgrade in 2019 to keep his place in the official team. He hopes that his results will allow him to obtain the confidence of Borgo Panigale, he concludes in these terms: “Next year I hope he wins at least one race and is on the podium as many times as possible. I also hope that it will be as close as possible to Dovizioso and that his contract will be extended by one year.”
