Qatar GP – Petrucci (5th): "I had the potential for the podium"

Danilo Petrucci starts his 2018 season with fifth place at the Qatar Grand Prix, just ahead of the official Yamaha of Maverick Viñales. But this position does not completely satisfy the Ducati-Pramac rider, who believes that the podium was within his reach.. Debriefing.

Danilo Petrucci, Ducati-Aspar (3rd in qualifying and 5th in race): "I’m a little divided … On the one hand, I’m happy with this Top 5 which was my goal. On the other hand, I honestly think I had the potential to be able to finish on the podium. But Pedrosa passed me at the wrong time, when the three drivers in front were accelerating ".

• Qatar GP :
• Qatar GP :

"Perhaps the choice of the soft tire up front was not the right one either … Still, I’m happy because we’re closer than last year."

• Qatar GP :
• Qatar GP :
• Qatar GP :
• Qatar GP :

Site analysis: As often, Danilo Petrucci draws up a contrasting assessment of his race and feels this frustration specific to drivers convinced of not having been able to express their full potential. "Petrux" is certain: his place was on the podium of the GP of Qatar, alongside Dovizioso and Marquez !

However, if the n ° 9 showed an excellent pace all weekend – third place on the grid – his performance in the race seems insufficient to claim the podium. The proof with his best lap in 1’55.630, that is to say three good tenths slower than the leading trio (1’55.242 for Dovizioso, 1’55.272 for Marquez and 1’55.315 for Rossi).

In addition, another rider was a staunch defender of the podium: Cal Crutchlow, on a Honda which practically supported the comparison with the Ducatis in a straight line. On a regular basis, the Italian would have had all the trouble in the world to beat the English, whose rhythm was a bit better..

In fact, if Danilo Petrucci – author of four fantastic podiums last year – has indeed lost time "scraping" with Dani Pedrosa, it is undoubtedly his pneumatic strategy that has served him badly: he is the only one in the Top 5 to have set off with a soft tire at the front (medium for most of its rivals). A daring choice given the abrasiveness of bitumen in Qatar, constantly swept by winds laden with sand…

• Qata GPr: 
• MNC report :
• MNC Smart-Video :

Still, the friendly native of Terni (Italy) starts his 2018 season on a much better footing than last year, when he fell six laps from the finish of the Qatar Grand Prix! A fine development for the Pramac rider, who lost six kilos this winter to reduce the wear on his rear tire. Motivated, "Petrux" !

 His new teammate, the Australian Jack Miller above, for his part finished his first race in a Ducati in 10th place, 14.594 sec behind the leader. Honda defector Marc-VDS long occupied ninth position, before losing it in the last three laps to Andrea Iannone.

Related articles

• Analysis – Petrucci favors its retention at Ducati with its podium in Catalonia –

  Petrucci promotes his retention at Ducati with his podium in Catalonia At the end of a fiercely contested Catalan Grand Prix against Rins and Quartararo,…

• Analysis – Qatar GP – Zarco (8th): “I wanted to lead the race” –

  Qatar GP – Zarco (8th): I wanted to lead the race Star of last year’s Qatar Grand Prix over six laps, Johann Zarco shone again this year by dominating…

• Analysis – San Marino MotoGP GP – Petrucci (2nd): “A little disappointed but happy at the same time” –

  San Marino MotoGP GP – Petrucci (2nd): A little disappointed but happy at the same time Danilo Petrucci, long at the head of the 2017 San Marino GP on…

• Analysis – Qatar GP – Dovizioso (1st): “Marquez pushed me to the limit” –

  Qatar GP – Dovizioso (1st): Marquez pushed me to the limit Mission Winnow accomplished for Andrea Dovizioso! Win now , the new slogan of Philip Morris on…

• Analysis – Qatar GP – Dovizioso (1st): “Our bike is much better” –

  Qatar GP – Dovizioso (1st): Our bike is much better First race of the 2018 season and first victory for Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), who brings his total…

• Analysis – Japanese GP – Petrucci (3rd): “Still the same problem, Dovi and Marc”! –

  Japanese GP – Petrucci (3rd): Still the same problem, Dovi and Marc ! Danilo Petrucci loves wet conditions: the Ducati Pramac rider demonstrated it again…

• Analysis – Qatar GP – Crutchlow (3rd): “We didn’t know if I would come back to MotoGP” –

  Qatar GP – Crutchlow (3rd): We didn’t know if I would come back to MotoGP The 2019 Qatar GP Medal of Merit goes to Cal Crutchlow, third in his first race…

• Analysis – GP of the Americas – Rossi (4th): “I was hoping to fight for the podium” –

  Americas GP – Rossi (4th): I was hoping to fight for the podium This American weekend will have been below the expectations of Valentino Rossi: the…

• Analysis – 2018 Italian GP – Crutchlow (6th): “At one point, I thought of the podium” –

  2018 Italian GP – Crutchlow (6th): At one point, I thought of the podium Cal Crutchlow, lacking results since his victory in Argentina, returned to his…

• Analysis – Qatar GP – Crutchlow (4th): “Honda did a fantastic job on the engine” –

  Qatar GP – Crutchlow (4th): Honda did a fantastic job on the engine Cal Crutchlow kicks off the 2018 MotoGP season with a strong fourth place at the 2018…