In this chain of factory drivers who will have to convince their employer to stay for years to come, Danilo Petrucci appears to be the weak link. After a good first half-season, the Ducati official has already had his lease extended, but given the results that followed, he is now considered to be on borrowed time. It was with this pressure on his shoulders that he participated in the presentation of the GP20 with the entire Borgo Panigale team. He gave his impressions and some juicy details…
Danilo Petrucci will have to procrastinate less than the others when the 2020 MotoGP season launches. Ducati expects convincing results from him from the start after having been disappointed with his performance in the second part of the last campaign. It was therefore particularly observed during the presentation of the GP20 with all the official staff. An interest that he initially dismissed with a detached air: “ the bike is much more beautiful than last year, more colorful, there is chrome, sponsor black », Commented Petrux on Sky Sport.
Staying on aesthetics, he focused on the shapes of his tank… “ It is inspired by that of Jorge Lorenzo. On Dovi's bike it's different. Mine is pointier because I'm taller and lean on my knees ". The traces of the passage of the Majorcan to Borgo Panigale are therefore still alive, after a period of two years between ups and downs. On the prominent stern, Petrucci has become more discreet, and for good reason… “ On the trunk, I can't tell what it's for, otherwise they'll kill me. »
The winner of the 2019 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello knows what awaits him this year: “ It's strange to say it, but it's the season of truth. For this second year on an official motorcycle, I learned a lot of things. Especially when I was struggling towards the end, not so much when I was going hard at the beginning. I have to say that I want to do better than last year, I don't set myself any goals. I am of a certain age and therefore have experience. »
Since the first races of the 2020 MotoGP season, he will have to convince management to Ducati, which has been surveying the driver market for some time. “ I'm quite used to it because I've always had annual contracts since 2016, so it doesn't scare me too much. We have to be ready, I'm not thinking about 2021 yet. 2020 is starting and I have to do well. Several fast trains pass and this year you have to be good to stay or jump on another train. »
Danilo Petrucci insists: “ I am very peaceful because I have one more year of experience. Last year, I was much more tense. So unlike a year ago, they are all in my situation now, they all have expiring contracts. I suffered the end of the season both mentally and physically. I really want to get back on the bike, this year I want to do better than last year, like I always did. »
The pilot Ducati then continued: “ Andrea wants to beat me and I want to beat him, but the argument isn't about beating one or the other, it's about beating everyone. We both have very clear goals. I want to do better than last year and so does he even though he only has one place to improve. It might be a little harder for him. Working together helps us because we can bridge our gaps. In my opinion, it is right that there should be an atmosphere of serenity. »
Danilo Petrucci concluded : " I understand that in MotoGP, especially when you have people like Andrea and Marc around you, you should never let your guard down. At the mid-season break I was in great shape and said I wanted to do even more. At that point I started putting pressure on myself and making mistakes. »
