MotoGP | Danilo Petrucci, “Aprilia or KTM? I would like to stay in Top Class"

MotoGP Rider Market 2021 – Danilo Petrucci was "discharged" by Ducati, at least as regards the MotoGP project.

The rider from Terni was offered a place in the official Ducati Superbike Team as said by Paolo Ciabatti in our exclusive interview (click here for the video interview), but “Petrux” would like to stay in MotoGP and to date the viable options are Aprilia or KTM.

The Noale company is awaiting developments on Andrea Iannone's doping case, while in Mattighofen they could find themselves without their top rider, given that Pol Espargarò in Honda alongside Marc Marquez is more than a rumor (Click here to find out more). Here's what Petrucci said to Sky Sport.

Danilo Petrucci statements on MotoGP future away from Ducati

“Things with Ducati had already changed, even before this decision, which was communicated to me by Gigi Dall'Igna. This year I would have had the opportunity to do well again in Ducati, but it seems that there was no room anyway, that the results didn't count. I believe an option is being prepared for me with the Superbike, even if there is no concrete proposal yet. While I received it from other houses. The fact is that Ducati is negotiating with Dovizioso, and therefore they are not the first choice. In fact, from what I understand, I'm not really a choice at the moment in MotoGP in Ducati. It was sad to lose a place that I worked so hard to earn because it wasn't raced this year. From what I was told, the decline I had in the second half of last season influenced their decision. It's clear that I'm very sorry. But I still have a year where I can race and feel fulfilled on a personal level on a competitive bike. I'm calm because from a certain point of view I only have to gain: in the sense that as of today, June 5th, I don't have a motorbike, so I have nothing to lose."

Danilo Petrucci statements on future MotoGP Aprilia or KTM

“Plan A is to stay in MotoGP. We tried to find an agreement with Aprilia for many years but then the choice of continuity of this path prevailed which, starting from the bottom, took me up to the official team. Now there has been a lot of interest in their new bike. But they too are experiencing a very delicate situation with the pilots. Aleix deserves a renewal, and there is the Iannone issue, which no one knows how it will end. Given that I'm sorry, because I respect Andrea a lot, so I would be sorry if the position was freed up because he was eliminated by a sentence. I would like to continue racing in MotoGP. I would like to complete what I have done so far, because last year, even if the second part was down, it was my best season. Both the Aprilia and the KTM stimulate me, the new Aprilia was fast straight away, while I would like to go to KTM because they also have a growing trend. In fact, Pol Espargarò's decision to leave is a bit surprising, given that he was the cornerstone of the project.”