The two-time MotoGP race winner’s place in the Tech 3 roster is in jeopardy as KTM Moto2 rider Raul Fernandez is expected to move up and join Remy Gardner on the team next year.
Petrucci says he has not yet had any talks with KTM about 2022, but only wants to race with the Austrian manufacturer.
Should he end up losing his ride, Petrucci says he is not making a move to World Superbikes right now as he believes his size – and therefore its extra weight – will be even more of an issue on a production bike.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Petrucci announced that he would like to switch to moto rallying when his final MotoGP season is in 2021 and says that racing at the Dakar Rally is “my goal”.
“First of all, I want to be competitive with KTM and keep going with them as long as possible because they really gave me a great opportunity,” said Petrucci.
“Then on the other hand – this is my biggest pro and my biggest disadvantage, to be honest – let’s say I’m the first who understands when I’m no longer competitive, I’m not having fun and it’s not good for me and not good for KTM.
“So I didn’t speak to anyone in MotoGP because if I continue in MotoGP I want to stay with KTM.
“Then I don’t have any discussions with Superbikes because the size and weight problem may be even bigger for me. It’s not a thing that I want to try.
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“One thing that I’ve wanted to try for a long time is the complete changeover, because my career was unique, I want to go rally and I want to try it because I’m pretty good off-road.
“I’ve already tried to navigate and let’s say if I can’t drive faster, I can at least drive longer.
“I want to give it a try, I’m pretty old for MotoGP but not for Moto-Rally and I still have time to study.
“Let’s see what the future holds for me. At the moment I definitely want to be competitive here. “
When asked if we could see him compete in the Dakar, he added: “That’s my goal. If you had told someone about this 15 years ago, nobody would trust me because anyone who gave me the chance to ride a Superstock bike said, “No, you’re too big for road racing”.
“After 15 years I won MotoGP, so maybe I can change again and let’s say some surprises.”