Danilo Petrucci, the multi-carder, the jack of all trades on a motorcycle since we saw him this year at the Dakar on a KTM, in MotoAmerica on a Ducati and in MotoGP on a Suzuki, takes stock of this 2022 season of Grand Prix which is coming to an end. There are only two Grands Prix left, with four drivers mathematically still in the running for the crown, but the situation is also marked by a dynamic clearly in favor of Pecco Bagnaia. If he succeeds, and it will be possible from the meeting at Sepang this weekend, he will go down in history as the one who succeeded in the hitherto impossible comeback. But it is also true that, in the same history, we had never seen such a Ducati...
Danilo Petrucci opened with what is now the epilogue of this MotoGP campaign, paying tribute to Pecco Bagnaia like a Ducati for the work accomplished so far. It certainly still remains to be completed, but Petrux's gesture and posture are noble since he speaks of the brand which did not renew it and the driver who replaced it. He therefore recognizes that at the time, the choice made at Borgo Panigale, and of which he was the first victim, had been the right one...
A situation that he recognizes: “ all this is thanks to Gigi Dall'Igna ". And he remembers: “ several times, Dovizioso and I were perplexed about how it made us feel, because we didn't understand what it was for. But a few thousandths here, a few thousandths there, and, finally, you find those tenths which now make you win races in MotoGP ».
A choice which, over time, has proven to be wise, given that Pecco Bagnaia is very close to winning the world title. In the event of a final triumph, it would be an unprecedented undertaking in the history of MotoGP, managing to recover 91 points in the middle of the season and win the world championship. “ This seems like a very nice Ducati to me. " welcomes Danilo Petrucci. “ Pecco went from prey to predator, taking into account the start of the season and the current situation. Without a doubt, I didn't expect Pecco to be so good and consistent. In the first part of the championship it seemed that he had lost everything ". ".
Danilo Petrucci: “ just a few months ago, it was unthinkable that a rider would face seven Ducatis »
Then he focuses on the title holder who is fighting to keep a crown which is however wavering more and more on his head… “ Fabio Quartararo has turned into a rabbit to chase, he has all the Ducatis around him. I also think of him because I see David against Goliath. Just a few months ago, it was unthinkable that a rider would face seven Ducatis ", he confided to 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'. « When you see that you are losing more and more points, you give everything but it's not enough, it's normal to feel crushed ».
Danilo Petrucci does not just analyze 2022. It also projects towards 2023, including a Marc Marquez which is coming back in force… “ It's good to have such a strong driver back in the championship. In Australia I saw the usual Marc Marquez. Honda was in crisis, it no longer took any points... And then, when he came back, he started fighting for pole and victories again, he's a raw talent. I'm happy especially on a personal level, because he's a guy who suffered with his arm and to get back into shape. Beyond the support and the brand, he is one of the strongest MotoGP riders of recent years ».
And he concludes: I don't know how Honda is doing, but Marc Marquez is very fast. And next year he will be among the contenders. This is why 2022 is a good opportunity to win the title, because then… ". So, according to Petrux, Marc Marquez will take things in hand by signaling the end of a recreation started in Jerez in 2020.
