Alberto Vergani, manager of Danilo Petrucci and Axel Bassani, reveal some behind-the-scenes information. Our interview.
De Marianna Giannoni / Corsedimoto.com
Danilo Petrucci is having a great season, yet Ducati isn't interested in him, and few riders in the paddock mention his name when discussing the transfer window. It's hard to explain. Perhaps it's an age thing, given that Danilo Petrucci will celebrate its 35th anniversary in the fall, but Alvaro Bautista is six years older, and Andrea Iannone is also older than the driver from Terni.
Danilo Petrucci has been followed for many years by his manager Alberto Vergani, and we exchanged a few words with the latter.
Alberto Vergani: « Danilo Petrucci has had a good season so far; he's third in the championship. This position isn't easy to maintain, but it is and remains this year's goal, ambitious but fair. Obviously, first and second place in the championship aren't even a consideration. We hope to be consistent: with consistent results, we'll score points and perhaps even win a few races."
Why doesn't Ducati consider Danilo Petrucci for the factory team?
"In my opinion, Ducati is currently thinking about a young rider, as they did with Bulega, perhaps someone from MotoGP. Jack Miller (who, in reality, is not even that young anymore), Miguel Oliveira or at least a rider from that championship. Danilo Petrucci, in any case, has never really been considered, even in the past; otherwise, they would have signed him already.
Two years ago, they chose Bulega and confirmed Bautista, who had just won his second world title. Then, Bulega had an exceptional season, and Álvaro continues to do his job seriously, so it was difficult to leave him out—which is understandable.
This year, from what I hear, they had to open their wallets for Bulega, which reduces the budgetary room to maneuver. Bautista will be 42 next year, so it makes sense for Ducati to look to the future and consider a young rider to partner with Bulega, who is already a title contender and has a real chance of winning it this year."
Will Danilo Petrucci stay in the Barni team?
"With the Barni team, there is a great relationship, based on mutual respect and a good bike. The dream is to follow the Pramac model in MotoGP. The Barni team's Ducati is truly a 'factory bis', Marco Barnabò invests a lot.
When we arrived, some people even advised me against going to Barni's: I was told that they didn't win, that they didn't get results... But I've known Barnabò for years, I know he's a serious person, and what's more, he was literally passionate about Danilo, so things aligned a bit naturally.
In the past, we almost made a deal with Barni to have Axel Bassani ride, but Axel ultimately decided to stay with Motocorsa. If there hadn't been a place at Barni, Danilo Petrucci would have returned to MotoAmerica, as he didn't have a bike. It was a surprise for both of us. Barni and I had already shaken hands over Axel, but then he was afraid to change teams, which automatically opened the door for Danilo."
Are there any other options?
"Petrucci's name is also circulating at BMW rather than Honda, but I don't know, we'll see. There are a lot of free riders, including Bautista, and both manufacturers have some leeway to choose whoever they want. Danilo is an experienced rider who knows how to win, so he is being considered, but, I repeat, there are a lot of riders available in Superbike and MotoGP."
Axel Bassani will also follow, staying in Bimota.
“For Bassani, we had a three-year contract with an option for Bimota. They are giving him a great experience and I am very satisfied with his work because he has improved a lot. The bike lacks power, but in terms of chassis, he is the best. He has made great progress and I have to hold him back a little because he feels like he is on the podium but needs a few more horsepower to stay in front. He is impatient, but he is a great talent and, in my opinion, if he could have a more powerful engine next year, he would give us pleasure.”
Among the drivers you work for, there is also Federico Caricasulo…
"He's a bit like Donald Duck [laughs], nothing comes easy to him. It's never nice to change teams during the season, but now he's with Giugliano. I always say: both parties have to be happy, and now both Caricasulo and his old team are happier."
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Marianna Giannoni
