Danilo Petrucci talks about his new MotoGP ride and what keeps him motivated

Danilo Petrucci is one of the most experienced riders on the MotoGP grid, sitting only third behind Valentino Rossi and Aleix Espargaro for most seasons in the premier class of current riders. 

The Italian has spent the last six seasons with Ducati where he enjoyed all of his podium and victory success. But after a difficult second year with the factory team in 2020, Petrucci has made the move to KTM Tech 3 alongside Iker Lecuona.

The KTM Tech 3 squad were hugely successful last year in the form of Miguel Oliveira with victories at the second Austrian round and last race of the year in Portimao. 

Petrucci was also a winner last season as he won the Le Mans Grand Prix in wet conditions after a great battle with teammate Andrea Dovizioso, Jack Miller and Alex Marquez. 

This season will be Petrucci's tenth consecutive season in MotoGP and he spoke at KTM's launch about what drives him to keep racing: "For sure my dream. I have a dream to win this championship since I was a child.

"For sure it is difficult and especially during the last seasons I always fight step-by-step. I remember in 2015 I was on the podium for the first time. Two years later I fought for the victory and stayed on the podium many times.

"In the last two years I won two races. The feeling to win a race is the best motivation I can have. Then we will see. To be competitive and fighting for the top positions in the top championship like MotoGP is the motivation that pushes me every year."

Petrucci is known around the paddock for having one of the most interesting personalities, so it was no surprise to hear his honest assessment when asked about his strengths and weakness as a rider. 

"I think I can say the first thing is that I have good experience because there are a lot of years for me [in MotoGP]. Then I would say I am quite good in the wet and I am physically prepared for all the challenges of MotoGP." said Petrucci.

"My weakness is perhaps my constant [consistency] is not there all the way through the year, so I have to improve to make it from the beginning to the end.

"I am very, very fast in the middle part of the season and in the second part I struggle a bit but I think this year everything changes for me and I need to be prepared for all the conditions."

After spending a long period of time on the same bike, making the switch to another team is not always an easy step to make for a rider. However, Petrucci is excited for the challenge ahead. 

"It’s another big thing because Tech3 is one of the most competitive teams we have in MotoGP. Last year with Miguel they won two races, so it’s really like a factory team and I am really happy to race with them.

"I have known Herve Poncharal for many years and he has always been very nice with me. I’m very happy, especially because we have all the factory support and in a really nice environment. I’m really, really curious to try the bike and get to know the people from the Tech3 team."