Danilo Petrucci had a very positive race at Silverstone. The top ten position that he took at the end of the race does justice to the excellent work of the team and driver, who probably could have done even more if he had started from a better starting position. But a lot has changed in today’s MotoGP and despite an excellent race pace, the first laps are decisive, as it is today.
“The fact is that in the current MotoGP you could only make one film about what happened on the first lap – said Petrucci – in this situation you can really see the madness of the riders, it seems that it has now become that What it used to be on the last lap of the race. The main fact is that at that moment you don’t know what the conditions of the bike or the track are, you have a full tank and the tires are not yet perfectly tempered. But drivers like me who have been racing for a long time suffer from it. Younger riders throw themselves in as if it were the last chance and all sorts of things happened. I spoke to Valentino Rossi about this a few races ago. In the past, you waited a few laps until everything had calmed down and then attacked. Now, however, everyone starts from the first lap as if it were a qualifying lap.
Are you also referring to the episode in which Marquez and Martìn were involved?
“I didn’t really see what happened between Marquez and Martìn on the track, I saw some pictures later. Marquez came over and maybe it was a little early to do it this way but I don’t know exactly how it went because at that moment I had a couple of drivers in front of me. Certainly the riders who come from Moto2 and Moto3 are much more aggressive today. “
Let’s talk about your breed.
“I lost a lot of time to Nakagami, Zarco and Bagnaia. Otherwise I could have stayed with Iker because we were at the same pace. When I’m ahead on the straight, I offer those who follow me too much slipstream is a problem.” in the race. I felt really good today and it’s a good top ten, but I’m a little angry because I could have done more. If that’s the case, it’s difficult because when you’re one tenth behind on every straight Tenth loses, it’s 6 or 7 seconds at the end of the race and it’s a shame because I think I deserved a little more. “
But you had a lot of fun today, overtaking a lot.
“I’ve done a lot of overtaking maneuvers and had several fights and I think someone had problems with the tires. I tried to manage them better but I’m disappointed because the only point on the track where I lose is this fourth place, fifth and sixth, that is the moment when the driver cannot do anything. You’re in disguise and that’s it. It’s a bit daunting because you know you can go faster, but you really can’t. At least I can keep what I found good here, namely good braking feel in the corners and that’s fine. Now I’m waiting for tracks where you don’t keep the gas open that wide “.
Today you did not do badly compared to the other KTMs, on the contrary. Could this be the start of another season finale?
“I am the only rider at KTM who comes from a different motorcycle and only now can I really cope with it, I am starting to drive automatically. We didn’t have a lot of time to sort things out on tracks where the engine is less important. “
Today came confirmation of the return of your former teammate Andrea Dovizioso to Yamaha. What do you think?
“I’m happy for Andrea, who is back on the bike with a real move that he wanted to ride. I think he has to thank Vinales and his behavior, otherwise I don’t think it would have happened. But now he’s back with Yamaha and I think he can ride really well. “