Danilo Petrucci: What next? Options in MotoAmerica and WorldSBK but will MotoGP tempt him back?
Petrucci was drafted in by Suzuki as a one-race replacement for the injured Joan Mir at Buri𝓰ram for his first appearance in the champions𓆏hip since an emotional retirement at the end of 2021.
A whirlwind year, where he completed a peไrsonal dream of racing at the Dakar Rally before an unlike🌠ly return to MotoGP, has left him considering future options.
Asked if he was decided on his next career move, Petrucci said: “Still nothing. I have options in MotoAmerica a𝔍nd WorldSBK.
“Fortunately I ca♔n choose but I need to understand if I want to continue. Or maybe to prepare for the Dakar in 2024. Let’s see.
“I really quit my [MotoGP] caree𒁃r last year in Valencia. I am h🐻ere on vacation! It is a big pleasure.
“I thought it could never happen that a rider came back, after t෴he Dakar, to MotoGP.
“I am so, so tired! It is my last day of working this yea🍌r, I promise.
“🏅I went to Dakar, then MotoAmerica [since the end of the last MotoGP season].
“I need rest. It feels l๊ike I raced the Dakar three years ago! It ꦓwas a big thing to race Dakar and MotoGP in the same year. Last week I was in the USA! I can be satisfied.”
Petrucci performed above expectations in the Dakar Rally at the start of this year then finished as🔴 runner-up in his first MotoAme💝rica season, just a week before a shock return to MotoGP.
He was only able to finish in 20th for Suzuki at the Thailand MotoGP in horribly wet conditions but to even compete after his maꦛmmoth year was some achievement.
“The team did the set-up almosಞt b🅷lind,” he said of his last-gasp arrival with the Suzuki team last week.
“I’m happy that I wasn’t last - this means a lot! The pace was good at the beginning as the 🍒track dried up. I suffered when the front pressure went really high.
“I would have like♚d to have scored at least one point but I’m happy. I am very proud to have raced for Suzuki.
“It could h♚ave been better but, considering I jumped on 🌺this bike on Friday and the others have been on this bike for 17 races, I am happy.
“It is difficult to compare becau🍰se, on the Ducati, I have my own set-up.”
James was a sports journali🅺st at Sky Spo𒈔rts for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
