The first half of 2020 will not remain a very pleasant memory for Petrucci, and not only because of the virus. After the announcement of his replacement by Jack Miller within the Ducati factory team, he is now beginning to put an end to this painful period and to consider the future in Austria or Noale, near Venice.
“Things had already changed with Ducati, even before this decision, which was communicated to me by Gigi Dall'Igna. I would have had the opportunity to succeed again at Ducati, but it seems there was no room for that anyway, and the results wouldn't matter." Petrux told Vera Spadini of Sky Sports.
“I think an option is prepared for me in Superbike, even if there is no concrete proposal yet. While I received some from other manufacturers. No matter what, I want to give my best until the end, because I believe that making myself look good can only be good. The fact is that Ducati deals with Dovizioso, so I am not the first choice. From what I understand, I'm not really a choice at the moment in MotoGP at Ducati... I will give my best until the last corner of the last race, but from what I understand I was told, I don't think there is room for me, and I don't think the results can change the situation. »
And how do you experience this?
“It's a shame to lose a place that I won with so much effort. From what I've been told, the drop I suffered in the second half of last season influenced their decision. It is clear that I am very sorry. But I still have one year left where I can race and feel personally fulfilled on a competitive motorcycle. I am calm because from a certain point of view, I have everything to gain: in the sense that from today, June 5, I no longer have a motorcycle, so I have nothing to lose. »
You look around and talk about Superbike, but I guess you want to stay in MotoGP.
“Yes, plan A is to stay in MotoGP. With Aprilia we tried for many years to find an agreement, but the choice of continuity prevailed. Their new motorcycle has generated a lot of interest. But they are also experiencing a very delicate situation with their pilots. Aleix deserves a renewal, and there is the question of Iannone, which no one knows how it will end. I'm sorry because I have a lot of respect for Andrea, so I would hate for his spot to be vacated because he's getting slaughtered by the judging. »
“And then the news of Pol Espargaró at Honda opens a different scenario. It's a championship played by the team directors because, as there are no races, we riders can't do much to change things. It's a chessboard, which goes first through Dovi: I know that they are discussing to find an agreement, even if I don't know the terms. And then, it also depends on what Valentino will do. At the moment, there are drivers who have priority. It will be necessary to place these pieces, the most precious, I will come a little later..."
In this chessboard, Aprilia and KTM are the most concrete options, what do you want?
“First, continue racing in MotoGP. I would like to complete what I have done so far, because last year, even though the second part was down, it was my best season. Since I started running, I have always improved, and I want to improve even more. Then, to understand what color the bike will be, you have to evaluate a lot of things: we don't have real negotiations in MotoGP. We talk, but there are movements that change the balance every day. »
But KTM now has an empty seat. It's a difficult bike, but it's an ambitious project. Could this stimulate you?
" Absolutely. As Aprilia was able to stimulate me, the new bike aroused a lot of curiosity in me because it was fast from the start, which is rarely the case. In the tests they were very strong, so I would like to go to Aprilia. I would like to go to KTM because they also have a growing trend. In fact, Pol Espargaró's decision to go there was a bit surprising, because it was the cornerstone of the project. But these are two houses that could use my experience, since I have been in MotoGP for a few years. And I would like to make myself available for a growth project. KTM managed to make a podium, Aprilia still doesn't have one, but they are two houses that want to go to the top and I would like to race with one of them. »
You said that the choice of Pol is curious, but isn't it also curious that Álex Márquez, who hasn't even competed in a race with Honda, has already been replaced?
“Yes, it’s the managers’ championship this year, not the drivers’! This is a very surprising decision, even if it is not yet official. Álex didn't have a great opportunity, he didn't even race on this bike. I don't know what the reasons are. Maybe because it will be over a single semester, I think it's like the choice of the "boxer": the desire not to see him confront his brother right away, not to belittle him, and to allow him to have some experience in MotoGP. Álex has not yet raced in MotoGP, but he is World Champion. But you need time, you have to ride MotoGP. He may be directed to the satellite team to gain experience. I think this is the explanation for Honda's choice. Or Espargaró has been classified as a real anti-Márquez, which could be due to the fact that it is since their childhood that Pol and Márquez have been fighting together. Maybe Honda wants to make a top level team for 2021."
Can you give me an overview of your experience at Ducati?
“It was great and I wish it would be again.” Because we still have half a year left to go together. And then, who knows. Winning a race is what I was asked to do and I did it. Then I maybe tightened my belt so much that I only had one year of contract, I made a few mistakes, in the second half of the season I wasn't happy, but I always did my best. I was third in the World Championship for the whole season, until two races before the end, and I would have liked to finish third. It was a low-hanging fruit, I could have done it, and it would have made a bit of a difference. It was still a positive experience and I thank them for what they did for me. And I would like to win again this year with Ducati. »
Valentino Rossi is expected to announce the decision regarding his future soon. Do you hope to see him run again or free up a place?
“As I said before for Iannone, I would be sorry if there was a saddle available at the expense of someone I love. Valentino has done very well for our sport, I hope that his choice will be the most peaceful for him, because he is a friend and I would like him to be happy. Seeing Valentino on the track is always nice, so I hope he makes the right and happy choice for him. Also because if Vale were to give up, I wouldn't necessarily be back. He has done so much for our sport that it would be strange to see him leave. If he ever leaves one day! »
