During the Qatar tests last February, an innovation brought to the Ducati surprised the MotoGP community. The device intended to improve the start had in the meantime been developed, and it now made it possible to Andrea Dovizioso et Danilo Petrucci to compress the rear suspension when exiting a curve to improve traction. “It was another great invention from Gigi, who is always one step ahead” commented Danilo.
“In MotoGP you really need everything, because you can often lose the race after 120 kilometers in the last corner. The slightest difference can save you a place. Often, when I was fighting for the podium and the difference between third and fourth was significant, I finished fourth” Petrux told Gerald Dirnbeck and Matteo Nugnes of Motorsport-total.com.
Arriving at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit for the final Grand Prix of 2019, Danilo Petrucci with 176 points was in fifth place just ahead fabio quartararo (172) and with the hope of beating Álex Rins fourth (194). But he was unable to finish the GP and was knocked out of fifth place at the finish by El Diablo.
“You had a good race, but you didn’t bring home a trophy,” regretted Petrucci. “In these situations you think about why you were a thousandth of a second short of the lap. Every little detail counts. Other manufacturers are also developing. We are fighting against the biggest brands in the world, who have many more staff than us. »
At Sepang at the beginning of February, Petrucci ranked sixth, 0.257 behind leader Fabio Quartararo. In Qatar, he was sixteenth, 0.776 behind Maverick Vinales.
“We found something, but I don’t know if our competitors have worked on other aspects,”
Petrucci explained. “Last year Honda was strong on the straights, but this year it seems we were faster. Yet in these two tests, you couldn't really figure that out because you weren't directly fighting against each other. »
“Based on the data, it actually looks like we accelerated a few km/h. But there are a lot of turns off the straights” joked the Italian. “ Understeer is still a problem for the Desmosedici. Michelin's new rear tire, which is supposed to offer more grip in corners, caused headaches. »
“In Sepang, we had difficulties. We already tested this tire at the end of last year in Valencia and Jerez, but the weather there was bad. So we didn't realize how much the tire had changed. In Qatar it was a little better because we analyzed everything between the two tests. »
The race simulation carried out during the Qatar test made Petrucci confident that the pace was there to compete with the leading group. “But Qatar is a track that is not very suitable for our bike. However, we adapted to the tire and I think we were on the right track. »
Photos © Ducati, Mini Bikers and Danilo Petrucci personally
