Petrucci ‘struggling to walk’ after FP1 crash, expects to be 'okay' for Sunday
Danilo Petrucci’s final MotoGP race weekend has got off to a far from ideal start after suffering a fast crash in FP1.
The Italian, who finished day-one 15th overall, was impressive during this morning’s damp/cool track conditions.
However, a big fall at turn six moments after setting his best lap left the soon-to-be Dakar Rally rider ‘struggling to walk’ due to the pain.
Petrucci also alluded to problems on the right side of the tyre and not being able to get the temperature needed.
"We struggled with the right side of the rear tyre, was not to temperature and the first time I touched the throttle the bike just flipped me off," said the Tech 3 KTM man.
"I was going slow but I hit the ground hard. I took a bit of rest and painkillers so now I have to go for treatment.
"I think I need a lot of anti-inflammatory this weekend and I have blood here on the hips but fortunately nothing serious.
"I was not keen to re-join the session. This afternoon was able to ride OK but off the bike I was struggling to walk and then the pain the day after.
"We see this afternoon and tomorrow morning but I don’t think it will get worse. I sincerely want to stay fit for Sunday and not think too much about it."
While Petrucci finished FP1 19th, the 31 year-old spent the early part of the session comfortably inside the top six with fellow KTM riders Miguel Oliveria and team-mate Iker Lecuona who topped the session.
But given the injury and dry conditions of FP2 which have been a struggle for KTM of late, only Brad Binder could get into the top ten.
Even so, Petrucci said the feeling on the bike ‘was ok’ and that he’s enjoying his time on the bike, despite being ‘a bit scared’ from FP1.
Petrucci said: "The feeling was OK, but this afternoon was a struggle to keep the rhythm at the beginning, but we are in line with the other KTM riders.
"Brad [Binder] was fastest in the first sector and in the damp so maybe he found something better.
"We have to fix the bike but it is not bad. For sure a second at this track is not a small gap and we are usually a second or second-0.2 at the tracks. We are struggling at the end [of the season] and in Silverstone we broke an engine.
"We asked for more because we are on the limit. We have to make it better in braking and I need to use the Hard front that helps me and then I enjoy to ride the bike except for this morning when I was a bit scared."
