MotoGP | Danilo Petrucci: “It gives me pleasure to finish in front of people who earn more than me”

MotoGP Danilo Petrucci – In the past season, Danilo Petrucci was an absolute protagonist.

The rider from Terni, a Pramac team rider, managed to get on the podium on four occasions, even fighting for the victory. As in 2017, also in the season that is about to begin he will ride an official motorbike which he will have at his disposal since the Sepang tests at the end of January, as he himself confirmed in his speech on the Tutti Convocati radio program: “For the moment I don't know the details, but from what I've seen, Doviziso and Lorenzo start with the same bikes. Unfortunately, even though I made a profit by experimenting with this engine which was different from the others, unfortunately it often broke, and this forced me to sit still for a long time. Standing still isn't good for you, staying on the bike helps you find more confidence. When the situation stabilized, the results were visible.”

After the excellent season “Petrux” will have to make a further leap in quality and says: “I'm a free-range rider, but to make a difference I have to leave instinct aside and calm down. But when there's a fight to be had I'm always ready. I also have to become more technical. Last year I came very close to winning, but winning was never an obsession. I've seen that when you're fighting for the podium the victory is very close, so the important thing is to be able to stay there in the first 4-5, then sometimes the difference is made by the condition, by chance or sometimes by finding yourself at the right place at the right time. Assen comes to mind where I lost the race due to a lapped.

The Pramac rider then talks about the riders who earn more than him, telling a little anecdote: “I think it's easy to say that money doesn't bring happiness, but we are 23/24 very good guys, everyone has the desire to win and it goes beyond how much you earn and how famous you are. In my case it also gave me pleasure when I got involved with people who earn more than me. I thought 'you'll make more money. But I'm going home tonight happier because I left you behind.' I gave up the sponsor's prize of 50 thousand euros when I reached the first podium, from the company that gives me the helmets. They have always supported me and I repaid them by being good and when they rewarded me for the result but I didn't accept it. “

Petrucci has no doubts about what's next: “In my opinion, Yamaha will find the right solution. Last year at the start Vinales gave everyone a second then something happened. In my opinion, the Yamaha riders are very strong but Marquez has something more, even on a personal level. They are not afraid to take more risks than necessary. During the past season, even though Dovizioso was there, he always looked for the break even when he wasn't needed. He is the favorite, but I don't leave out the top riders: Doviziso, Vinales, Rossi, Pedrosa and I also add Lorenzo. I would like to be in the group too. Last year I enjoyed fighting with them so I think it's a good idea to be up front again this year.”

The Pramac rider is also asked if he prefers to beat Marquez or Rossi: “It would give me more pleasure to beat Marquez than Rossi, because in age we are close and I think it will be one of those problems that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, while Valentino will stop in a while and he has given his. I found myself part of the 'Valentino Rossi Generation' that I watched on TV as soon as I was born or almost and now I find myself racing together, so for me it's quite a special thing, beyond the relationship we have off the track , while Marquez is an opponent who will monopolize the challenge for the next few years".

At the end, Leo Turrini's question about what he thinks of Valentino Rossi and whether he can still win: “Rossi is still a winner, I don't know what more he has inside him that comes out inside him when he's competing. During practice you often see him, in recent years, a bit in difficulty, then on Sunday the race starts and you find him there, not breaking away from the leaders. This is him and let's not forget that he is 38, 39 years old, I don't remember. He still has an incredible passion, it really gives him pleasure to get on a motorbike, fix it and live this life here which for many riders, sometimes even for me, is very hard. Rossi, on the other hand, has always interpreted it as the best and most fun thing he could do and this has allowed him to race and be competitive all these years. Which in my opinion we won't easily see again in the future. What for us is a heavy or difficult thing, for him is a challenge, it is something that stimulates him even more. I think that no one, after having been with Ducati, would have put themselves back in the game to get on the world champion's bike to say 'now let's see if I'm still capable'. Beyond sympathy, you can root for Valentino, Marquez, Lorenzo or anyone, but I appreciate the fact about Rossi that he never held back, especially after the Ducati. He could have been satisfied, after the difficulties, he was strong."

Photos: Alex Farinelli