MotoGP Barcelona: Petrucci, “The podium? More difficult than Mugello"

MotoGP GP Catalunya 2017 Barcelona Ducati Pramac – Danilo Petrucci, after the podium at Mugello, was also a great protagonist in the qualifications in Barcelona, ​​the scene of the seventh stage of the 2017 world championship. The Team Pramac centaur in fact hit the front row, third fastest, with him having the say.

“Tomorrow will definitely be a difficult race, I think the two Hondas are favourites. When Pedrosa is in such good shape it is difficult to stop and in some cases the rider's weight makes the difference (Pedrosa is one of the lightest riders in MotoGP, ed.). Dani has a small advantage as does Bautista with the Ducati.”

What race do you predict, the tires seem to play a fundamental role.

“I'm worried about the second part of the race, but in the first part I'll try to stay there, try not to use the rear as much. It won't be easy, but we are all in the same conditions. Compared to Mugello I have fewer weapons, but most of the difficulties come from the track and it will be the same for everyone."

After the podium at Mugello the front row arrived (in reality he had also achieved it at Mugello, but the time was taken away from him due to penalties), you were considered an outsider, now what do you feel?

“I'm happy but what I want is at the end of the year to no longer be considered an outsider and to always be in the top 5/6. I still have to learn, I'm still an outsider, let's see tomorrow and at the end of these four races, because they will be crucial both for the championship and for next year. I would like to still have an official bike and I particularly care about it. I would like Ducati to be happy to give me an official bike.”

Did you expect such a competitive Ducati here?7

“I didn't expect it at all, last year we struggled a lot. It had been a difficult weekend, but you can't make comparisons. I didn't expect a Yamaha in such difficulty, the variable
it's the tires. At Mugello the Hondas struggled, here the Yamahas, but the Ducati is always there.”

Podium goal?

“I would like to but I think it's more difficult than Mugello. There I had a good pace, here I don't know what to expect in the second part of the race. The Yamahas seem to have little mechanical grip, but they seem to consume the tires less, so in terms of race pace I wouldn't rule out either Rossi or Vinales, they are two phenomena and I don't think they will finish the race behind.”

Danilo, can you explain what happened with Abraham?

“I was sorry I reacted that way, it's not my style, but the first lap was waiting for me. I was angry because I had failed the lap three times, but I was reprimanded by my team."

Petrux also made a joke recalling Jack Miller's mistake when he missed the chicane: "I would give Miller an alcohol test!" – We remind you that the rider from Terni is a policeman from the Fiamme Oro.

Photos: Alex Farinelli