The new official Ducati rider continued to develop his machine and took the lead on the first day.
Danilo Petrucci had finished the first pre-season test, in Valencia, less than a tenth behind his teammate, Andrea Dovizioso, and had thus taken fifth position.
Comfortable on his new official machine, he did even better during the first day of the new test held in Jerez by setting the best time:
“I'm very happy with how the day went, because it's always a great satisfaction to finish in first position, even if the times don't count much since few drivers focus on them and what's more we don't score points. After all, finishing first is still positive and I am especially satisfied with my feeling with the worn tire. However, you have to take it with a grain of salt because it's winter, and I encountered most of my problems when it was hot.
I felt comfortable on the bike throughout this first day, like in Valencia, and that's important because we barely changed any settings and we are still at the front. »
The Italian rider and his technical team have not made any fundamental changes to the machine, but are instead focusing on small modifications that could make the difference next year: “We have already tested the new bike in Valencia, although in reality we are talking about hybrid since it is not yet the bike we will have next year. I don't know which direction we will go. I try components and for a matter of feeling they don't keep me informed of the modifications. Engineers prefer that I figure out for myself what works and what doesn't, without any external influence. This helps you understand which direction to go. Right now, the less they tell me, the better (laughs). Today we didn't focus on the times and instead worked on our pace and tried new elements which gave us very useful information. Overall, I am very satisfied with the work done with the team. »
Jerez Test, Day 1:
1. Petrucci, Ducati, 1'37.968
2. Dovizioso, Ducati, 0,217 sec
3. Nakagami, Honda, + 0,380 sec
4. Vinales, Yamaha, + 0,408 sec
5. Marquez, Honda, + 0,549 sec
6. Morbidelli, Yamaha, + 0,691 sec
7. Lorenzo, Honda, + 0,781 sec
8. Miller, Ducati, + 0,848 sec
9. Bautista, Ducati, + 0,862 sec
10. Mir, Suzuki, + 0,988 sec
11. Iannone, Aprilia, + 1,040 sec
12. Rabat, Ducati, + 1,129 sec
13. Rins, Suzuki, + 1,182 sec
14. Bagnaia, Ducati, + 1,189 sec
15. Pol Espargaró, KTM, + 1,273 sec
16. Quartararo, Yamaha, + 1,446 sec
17. Rossi, Yamaha, + 1,596 sec
18. Smith, Aprilia, + 2,206 sec
19. Zarco, KTM, + 2,224 sec
20. Abraham, Ducati, + 2,470 sec
21. Syahrin, KTM, + 2,662 sec
22. Guintoli, Suzuki, + 2,775 sec
23. Oliveira, KTM, + 3,731 sec
24. Baiocco, Aprilia, + 4,798 sec
