On the eve of the GP France in Le Mans, Pramac Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci says he has 2019 MotoGP offer from Aprilia team once again to replace Sam Lowes, but insists his priority is to stay at his current team until the end of this season.
Speaking to media, the Italian rider revealed that he reckons he is among several Ducati riders having to wait for Andrea Dovizioso’s decision in the factory team.
“There are not so many factory places available at the moment, only Ducati and Aprilia are still waiting. We are talking with Ducati, but in this moment, the first thing they have to solve is the Dovizioso deal.” Petrucci said.
“My dream, my target is to go in the factory team, because I have been with Ducati since four years. I’m giving my best, in and out the track. If it’s enough, I will be happy, if not I am at least happy because I say ‘Okay, I am not enough for a factory team.
“After Dovizioso chooses his feature, then even the other riders, I think, me Iannone, Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Miller, we move after Doviziso choose what he will do. Because at the moment everyone’s stopping, waiting for Dovi. I am in good company.” Petrucci added.
Aprilia on Thursday announced they have extended Aleix Espargaro’s contract for two more years through 2019 and 2020. Former Petrucci team-mate Scott Redding on the other hand, he is still in doubt.
“It’s a really stupid thing, to choose the rider for the next three seasons, because there is more than half of the season to go,” Petrucci said.
“For example, my former team-mate, Scott, what is his motivation, that he already knows he’s out of his team. I don’t understand, which is the reason to choose the rider at the second race or at the third race.” he added.
Ducati’s Danilo Petruci and Jorge Lorenzo. (Source:www.motorsport.com)
The 2018 season will be the last season for Petrucci. He agreed a one-year extension to his contract with the satellite Ducati team last year. The 27-year-old first joined Pramac Ducati team in 2015 and has taken five podium finishes, four of the last season.
Petrucci admitted that in 2017 there was a strong temptation to move to Aprilia, but he didn’t want to do that while he at the Italian manufacturer.
