Danilo Petrucci: “I can’t make a move unless others do”

Danilo Petrucci, an Italian rider known for his performances in MotoGP and currently competing in WorldSBK with the Barni Racing Team, shared his thoughts on his future during a recent interview. With speculation swirling around Alvaro Bautista’s fate at Ducati WorldSBK, Petrucci admitted that his options hinge on decisions made by other riders and teams.

At 31 years old, Petrucci faces a pivotal moment in his WorldSBK career. After a notable stint in MotoGP as a factory Ducati rider, he now seeks to solidify his place in superbike racing. In a candid statement during the interview, Petrucci revealed, “I would be happy if I could continue with Barni, and I don’t know at the moment what options are open. I’m not looking at the market. I can’t move my chess pieces if someone doesn’t move first.”

The uncertainty revolves around Alvaro Bautista’s decision regarding retirement and his future with the Ducati team. As the winner of two consecutive WorldSBK titles, Bautista remains a central figure in the factory team, but his future remains unclear. For Petrucci, who has shown consistent performance with the Barni Racing Team, the prospect of taking over Bautista’s seat at Ducati is a clear goal, albeit contingent on external decisions.

“First of all, I feel very good with Barni, but I think these two rounds are decisive for next year. I would like to ride Alvaro’s bike! It’s a goal, but it doesn’t depend on me. Even if I am faster than Alvaro, he will continue racing with the same team,” explained Petrucci, illustrating his desire to compete in a factory environment once again.

Petrucci, known for his calm and determined approach on the track, hopes that his recent performances will open doors to broader opportunities in WorldSBK. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming races as a crucial test for his future in the category while awaiting developments in team negotiations and decisions.

As the rider market shifts and teams begin to make decisions for the upcoming season, Danilo Petrucci remains focused on his current performance and the possibility of achieving his goal of competing in Ducati’s factory team in WorldSBK.