Donington Park WorldSBK: Danilo Petrucci: “Nobody will pay the bill, but I'll drink a lot of beers”

After falling short in his attempt to claim a first WorldSBK podium in Misano, Danilo Petrucci made the most of his brilliant pace at Donington Park to do just that.
Danilo Petrucci, Barni Ducati WorldSBK Donington Park 2023
Danilo Petrucci, Barni Ducati WorldSBK Donington Park 2023

The Barni D💟ucati rider already came close to a P3 finish during Race 1﷽, before eventually getting the better of six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea.

It was Rea who managed to hold off the Italian in Race 1, but with seven laps to go of Race 2, Petrucci was determined to make a successful charge⭕ this time around, w💙hich included passing the second factory Kawasaki of Alex Lowes. 

"Sincerely, I didn’t expect to be so strong, especially at the end! When I passed Gerlo🎐ff, it was strange because I was so fast but in other parts where you can p🅷ass, I was so slow," said Petrucci. 

"So, I was always up and down. I got the smell of the blood in front and ꦺwhen I saw seven laps to go with two riders in front, I needed to try! I am so happy, especially for my team! 

"They str♏uggled at times in the past but in 2011, when I rode for them in STK1000, the team was so good, especially Marco. 

"He’s so passionate about bikes and he deserves the best. This result is for him and ♏the team! Marco just left… so nobody will pay the bill! I’ll drink a lot of beers by myself!"

Petrucci, who has been getting stronger and stronger as the 2023 season go on, was not alone in discussing his achievement as Toprak Razgatlioglu called his recent improvem🎉ents ‘unbelievable’.

The Yamaha rider dished out the compliment when anal𒁃ysing his own race where he finished second, after being unable to ramp up his pace once 𒀰Alvaro Bautista overtook him.

Razgatlioglu added: "I think after ten laps, the pace was faster. When Bautista got ahead, ꦕhe did a 1’26.2 whereas before, it was 26.6, 26.7. Sometimes, hard braking isn’t enough; if my bike was fast on the straight, then I’m easily fighting with him. 

"It’s also the tyres, not just the engine. His pace do𓆉esn’t drop because of the engine on the straight and the easy, gentle acceleration doesn’t eat the tyre. 

"I just keep a goo༺d corner speed to follow 𝓡him. I’m very happy for Danilo! He’s a strong rider! He did a good job at Misano but he crashed. 

"Here, I am surprised! It was an unbelievable step. I think he li🎐kes the track and now, the Ducati works well here. I was surprised to see him in P3! Every race, he’s getting better."

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