MotoGP: Petrucci reflects on incredible podium finish at Silverstone
Danilo Petrucci found himself laughing inside his helmet as he claimed his first MotoGP podium at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, hardly able to believe it.
Rain is seen as the great equalizer in motorcycle racing, as difference in top speed and performance becomes reduced and the riders are able to let their skills shine through despite the differences in their equipment.
Throughout the 2015 season, Danilo Petrucci, racing for Octo Pramac Racing, has shown tremendous consistency and scored points at every round of the MotoGP World Championship. Petrucci races on the GP14.1, making it unlikely that he can challenge for a dry weather podium, but with Sunday’s heavy rainfall that all changed, and the popular Italian saw himself challenging for the podium and also pressing Valentino Rossi for the victory, despite starting in 18th place.
“I really don’t understand why Valentino came so close lap by lap,” Petrucci told MotoGP.com after the race. “But then Dovizioso came so I tried to push again but the rain came harder so I was scared about the front.
With nothing to lose, Petrucci left his braking as late as he dared and set some of the best lap times of the race. His braking was so late that Andrea Dovizioso was scared just following him; worried Petrucci would crash at every corner. Past seasons have seen ‘Petrux’ slave away on uncompetitive machines, but the call up to Pramac in 2015 has seen him lose over 10 kilograms of body weight and renew his passion and focus. Second is the best finish by a non-factory rider since Aleix Espargaro was second in Aragon in 2014 on the NGM Yamaha.
“The last few laps, Dovi took a little gap, and then in the last lap, the last corner I started laughing,” explained the 24-year-old rider, who had since moved his way back up into second ahead of Andrea Dovizioso.
The MotoGP World Championship will be back in action in two weeks time from Misano.
Click HERE for the full race results from Silverstone.
