Danilo Petrucci had a slightly less bad Grand Prix than usual on a Montmelo track which hosted the Barcelona Grand Prix last Sunday. Honorably qualified since playing in Q2, the Ducati official then made a point of remaining in the top 10. However, this performance could never have taken place if he had not managed to emerge from the fray unscathed of the first turns, a happy outcome that Johann Zarco like Andrea Dovizioso who followed him on the other Ducatis did not experience. By his fault? Certainly not, according to the Italian's explanations.
A championship leader who falls for the count in the first corners of a Grand Prix is something to talk about. However, the victim Dovizioso wanted to reduce the pressure which was beginning to fall on the helmet of Johann zarco which fell before its wheels, thus favoring the final conclusion. But the Frenchman had put on the brakes, wanting to avoid Danilo Petrucci in precarious balance. So, is Petrux’s fault? The latter defends himself:
« We analyzed the data carefully, I don't think I am responsible for the accident ", said Petrucci. " I got a good start, went inside, then I was on the outside into turn 2 where Pol Espargaró braked in front of me and my front wheel touched his rear wheel. Then Johann braked and fell. I'm sorry for the fall behind me, but I don't see how I contributed to it. I almost fell myself and tried not to grab the brakes because the front closed » assures the Italian who will be a pilot Tech3 KTM in 2021.
Not fast enough… In a straight line!
This clarification made, he returns to his Catalan race: “ I'm happy with the race and the weekend, we could have done something better in qualifying but the race was good, I managed the tire well. However, I lost a lot on the straights. I got overtaken by Pol Espargarò and Pecco Bagnaia and I couldn't fight back. I did it a few times at turn 5 but it was quite risky, then they still overtook me on the straight ».
An astonishing assessment since all Ducati are precisely known for being rockets at top speed… Petrux finishes: “ However, I am happy, from Misano 2 we return to our level. The bike with the new Michelin rear tire has changed a lot and from Misano 2 we were able to understand it better. Since the Austrian Grand Prix we have not been fast on the straight, we are not at the level of last year. The KTM, Pecco and Nakagami passed me ».
Petrucci finished the race in eighth place, therefore complaining about the poor performance of the engine. In the world championship, the almost 30-year-old driver is only 14th with 39 points.
MotoGP Barcelona J3: classification
