MotoGP: Petrucci proving a point at Ducati

Alma Pramac Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci says he’s out to prove a point in the opening races of the 2018 MotoGP season, by turning a steady start to proceedings into a factory seat. Making a good showing in Qatar by coming home fifth, the Italian has made no secret of the fact that he wants a factory ride and knows that only results will secure it.

That’s aided by a contract directly with the factory that gives him the chance to move onto top flight machinery should one of their current pairing part ways with them. Originally looking unlikely and leaving Petrucci searching elsewhere, continuing disappointment for Jorge Lorenzo seems to mean that his dreams have slightly more chance of becoming a reality.

Now linked by paddock rumour with the Suzuki ride that Petrucci was believed to be a contender for, a move for the Spaniard could leave a factory slot free. And, with a strong result to show from the opening race of the season, Petrucci firmly believes that he deserves the chance.

“It’s not a secret that I want to be in his place. I want to be for sure a factory rider, and doing races like this one is the way to do that, being strong and fast. Maybe being two positions further ahead (or even four!) would have made it even more perfect, but with the names I’m fighting very hard with, I’m doing a good job.

“It’s difficult, yet I cannot be happy with Sunday’s result. I was on top in every session, and I thought that maybe Marc and Dovi had a little bit more than me, just 1%, because Dovi has more experience and Marc has more madness, or maybe Marcness, but I thought there was one more space on the podium for me. But I didn’t calculate Rossi, who is always there!”