From the outset, in two days of testing in Jerez, the first with the entire 2023 field together, Danilo Petrucci made his mark in a WSBK which will have to take into account this double winner in MotoGP. Ducati too by the way. Petrux discovered Pirelli tires and was riding a Panigale V4R version 2022. He will not have the 2023 version until the next getaway this off-season to Portimao, next week. And by the way, because of his build, he drove with the basic settings of a certain Scott Redding, during his lease at Borgo Panigale...
How far will it go Danilo Petrucci in his great discovery of WSBK? He hoped, for this first experience at Jerez, appearing in the top 10, but it was more in the top 5 area that he revealed himself. Enough to reconsider the forces present on an already interesting 2023 grid. Because it seems that we must seriously consider Petrux as one of the troublemakers of this season. A positive assessment which surprises even its author: “ it went better than expected », smiles the pilot Barni who still enjoys his eclectic career since he officially left the ranks of MotoGP: “ Last year I had a lot of new experiences, this is another one. Nobody expected me to be fast in the Dakar and MotoAmerica. NOW, I have more pressure because everyone expects good results and looks at me ».
« I had a good bike from the first lap and we were in good shape straight away » explained in the simplest possible way Petrucci on his spontaneous revelation with the Panigale V4R. « Of course I rode with a standard set-up, we still have to find a set-up for me. My starting point was a setup similar to what Scott Redding used in his day. We tried a lot, including different tires. But I didn't try to chase times because that wouldn't have helped » he specifies on speedweek.
Danilo Petrucci: “ I have no idea what it takes to win the championshipt "
He explains the reason for this delay: “ I was tired. I last rode a motorcycle in October. It was a MotoGP with an in-line engine and Michelin tires, so something completely different. But I'm happy. I didn't expect to be so close to the top. Of course we still have a lot to do, but we can be satisfied ».
While the two Ducati factory riders Baptist et Michael Rinaldi were already equipped with this year's Panigale, Petrucci rode last year's machine. “ I will only ride the 2023 bike at the next test in Portimão », specifies the pilot of 32 years. “ We don't need the new bike at the moment, we need to find the right set-up for me first. Already after the first laps it was clear to me: this is a very good bike. But I have no idea what it takes to win the championship. Because I don’t know the level of the opponents.”
Petrux continues: “ we need to improve some things because I can't use the strengths of the bike like Bautista - because it is 30 kilos lighter. That's why I'm not the best at accelerating. Either way, we need to find solutions that work for me. It's light, it can brake and accelerate the bike quickly, for me it's a little more difficult. I enter corners well, but I lose when accelerating. Overall, I'm not far off though, I expected it to be slower. So I am satisfied he concludes.
Rankings from the second day of Superbike testing in Jerez:
