Eighth in the final general classification of the 2017 World Championship, Danilo Petrucci managed to reach the podium four times, at Mugello, at Assen, at Misano and at Motegi. He could have done better without his five retirements and two disastrous races in Aragon and Phillip Island. This season he is riding an official Ducati, a GP18 which Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo will also have.
Obviously, his work will be important for the development and evolution of the new Desmosedici. His new teammate is Jack Miller, who replaces Scott Redding who left for Aprilia.
Danilo was interviewed by 'Tutti Convocato' on Radio24 and discussed several topics, including his rather aggressive driving style which ends up wearing down the tires too much: “I have a style that is still a little excessive, recognizes Petrux. “ To make a difference in all races, I would have to manage to put instinct aside and calm down. When there are risks to take, I am always ready. I also need to get a little more technical. ».
He was then asked that he earns 50 times less than Jorge Lorenzo what it felt like to arrive just behind him in the Championship standings. “ We all want to win, it goes beyond your salary and your fame. But I liked it when he was behind me! »
Petrucci was one step away from victory, but he was always missing something. Regarding the pursuit of success, he explained: “Last year I almost won, but it was never an obsession. The important thing is to be able to stay in fourth or fifth position so you can be in the right place at the right time. In Assen, I lost for nothing. I understood what had to be done. I should be more methodical and less passionate. »
Regarding the 2018 World Championship, “ For me, Yamaha will be there... At the start of last season, Vinales seemed unbeatable, then we don't know what happened. In my opinion, Rossi and Vinales are very strong, even if Márquez has something more… Marc is not afraid to take risks. Last year he was strong and impressive, even if Dovizioso was still there. »
Would Danilo prefer to beat Valentino Rossi ou Marc Marquez ? “ Maybe Marquez, because we are closer in age and I know that this is a problem that I will continue to have for the rest of my life (laughs, editor's note). Valentino will stop in a moment, he gave »
And speaking of Rossi, he is asked about the fact that the “Doctor” is still a winning driver at 38 (almost 39): “ I don't know what else he has. He is still there in the race. We see him struggling a little during testing, then on Sunday he is among the first... He is almost 39 years old and has incredible passion. He likes to ride his motorcycle and tune it up properly.
“Life for a pilot is hard, even if we are lucky. He always interpreted it as the most beautiful and fun thing that could be done, which allowed him to race and be competitive all these years. I don't know if we will see someone like him again in the future. I don't think anyone would have done it after racing for Ducati, taking a lot of money, then coming back on the world champion's bike to see if he was still capable... Beyond the sympathies, I “I appreciate that Valentino never left racing, especially after the Ducati years.”
Photo © Pramac Racing
Source: 'Tutti Convocato' Radio24
