The rider from Terni completed the race, finishing eleventh out of thirteen riders placed. But beyond mere sporting performance, he explained some interesting technical aspects. And on the Sbk: “We’ll have another meeting with Ducati, to figure out what to do”
14 maggio 2023
Eleventh, a placement that means more than the five points he took and brought to Ducati. If we had to sum up the words of Daniel Petrucci after the French GP we would summarize them in one: gratitude.
The interview with Danilo Petrucci begins with Petrux addressing Morbidelli, then continues with the analysis of the race…
“Frankie! I tried to keep up with you, then I went wide twice, but I’m happy, very difficult race compared to yesterday, but I improved my pace and also my fastest lap, apart from the first lap I took 7-8 tenths per lap , it’s not bad. I pushed the whole race, I understood the bike more, then 32’8 is nothing special but it’s not bad. I thank Ducati for this gift, racing in front of all these people, I also got some points “
Still…
“I’m sorry for the other part of the garage, for Pecco, who didn’t score any points, but in short, three Ducatis on the podium, I’m happy too. It was difficult to do more with two days of experience on the bike”
Is it another Ducati than the one you rode?
“Well yes, they went to solve those difficult points such as engine delivery and bike handling. From the first corner I really felt another bike, docile, in the middle of the corner. The transition from closed to open throttle is almost non-existent , this is what makes the bike turn when there is no grip or it is bent, but the impressive power of the Ducati has remained. The best bike I have ridden in my life. Too bad it is already Sunday, I think I will not ride it again , I got excited in the lap of honour, I’ve been on the podium three times here at Le Mans, the French public loves me”
How did you get on with the team?
“Very well, with the crew chief Marco Rigamonti, with the electronic engineer Dario Massarin. In the end, with all the experience I have, I think I worked with all the people in the paddock, I’m only sorry for the crash on Friday. But I think I having done mine, bringing the bike to the end and taking some points”
On the critical issues…
“I did my best. I was close to the small group in front with Morbidelli. That’s what I’m suffering now also in Superbike, the opening of the gas. I was always a little late in opening it and I was trying to recover under braking where you risk so much “
What will you tell your child in 20 years about this race?
“I’ll look at the photos again, it was an incredible emotion, when I put this sweatshirt on one approached to take a selfie I said ‘damn, I’ve seen this scene before. It was like a catwalk, in Thailand the year last time it was different. It was a great gift that life gave me”
The last thought is on the Superbike…
“I went faster here, proportionally, than in the Sbk races. There is something we are not understanding, on the other hand. We will have a new meeting with Ducati to try to understand what can be done for the Sbk”
