MotoGP: Danilo Petrucci, “An exciting race at Mugello, now the objective is to reduce the gap”

MotoGP 2015 Pramac Racing – Danilo Petrucci achieved his best placing at Mugello since he raced in MotoGP. The rider from Terni of Team Pramac Ducati closed his home Grand Prix in ninth position, a very respectable performance, considering that he rides an "old" Ducati, the GP14 (albeit with updated exhausts and fairing, which make it resemble the GP14.2 .XNUMX). The rider from Terni experienced firsthand what it means to race with an Italian motorbike and in front of the Italian public, something that "Petrux" defined as exciting. The word is up to him

The first third of the season ended with the Italian Grand Prix. How is your budget?

“I think the balance is balanced: I had good qualifying sessions but in the race I suffered a bigger gap. It must be said that this is the year with the highest level ever seen, both of riders and bikes, but I often struggled in the race, especially in the initial stages. Of course I didn't expect to be tenth in the standings, even with a bit of luck.”

The Mugello week, from the pre-event to the circuit. Was it the most exciting moment of your professional life?

“Mugello was overall one of the most exciting GPs of my life. Racing with an Italian team, with an Italian motorbike, with the Ducati, and what's more with the new liveries and the new Octo sponsor gives you an extra boost. Virtually all the cheering is for you. In Siena we had an extraordinary pre-event, riding in Piazza del Campo with a MotoGP was perhaps one of the moments I appreciated the most. People weren't in the ring as long as they were, all clapping and making videos, I didn't think so many people were following the motorbikes.”

The most exciting moment of the season?

“I think the most exciting moment was ninth place at Mugello. I had predicted the Top 10 but after a difficult Saturday I didn't even think I would finish the race. Instead I battled with Yonny and at the end I managed to gain an advantage. It was my best race so far.”

The most difficult moment of the season?

“The most difficult moment was the Qatar race. I got a bad start and suffered from a tire that didn't perform at its best, finishing the race only twelfth. Above all, I expected more after I had gone fast in qualifying.”

The most difficult opponent to overcome…

Maybe Vinales, in 4 of the six races I competed I fought with him in the last three laps. He drives cleanly and manages not to suffer from tire wear, so at the end of the race it is very difficult to keep him behind. But my teammate Yonny is also very strong

The driver who has done best so far and why…

“In my opinion Vinales since he is a rookie on a rookie bike. For me, Maverick is very strong.”

How do you rate your season?

“I haven't had any amazing races or disastrous races so far, so I think 6 is okay.”

The subject in which you are promoted, the one in which you are worse and the one to be repeated in September.

“Bad at the start of the race with a full tank, especially when it's hot. In practice I always set a good pace but in the race I can't keep it from the start. Then I would still have to learn to do more laps in the race at the same time as in practice. I'd say I'm promoted in qualifying.”

If you could choose one Grand Prix, which would it be?

“Maybe Qatar, I don't know if I could have done better but when you have a tire problem you're always disappointed. In addition to, obviously, making it much more difficult to turn.”

Do you think you have more margins in terms of performance or results in the next 6 grands prix?

“I believe in performance: I would like to reduce the gap with those in front. I was already closer at Mugello but I would like to do better."

Photos: Alex Farinelli