Petrucci wildcard: “It’s an idea to develop. SBK is very attractive”

In just a short space of time, Danilo Petrucci has experienced a range of adventures and emotions, leaving MotoGP, taking part in a wonderful Dakar, before competing in MotoAmerica Superbike. And now World Superbike looms, with increasing intensity, on the horizon, the Italian looking to be a possible wildcard entry at the Portimão round. Speaking to us over the phone, he admitted: “There is this possibility that has come about thanks to my Warhorse HSBK Racing team, but it’s just an idea for now. Here in America we still have a lot to do, we’re not even half way through the championship. It would be a great thing to do, but it’d all need to be organized.”

So it’s all still up in the air.

"Logistically, it’s not easy and, above all, it’s not cheap to send the crates from America to then send them back here. It’s an idea to develop. We’ll see how the championship pans out and, more importantly, whether I’ll be in WorldSBK next year. In that case, it would make sense, otherwise just a one shot... I haven’t yet thought about what to do next year, I’m trying to live in the moment and do as well as I can here in America.”

Do you have offers on the table?

"If I win the championship this year, I might have a chance to race with Ducati in WorldSBK, but it’s still a decision I need to make. I had the same opportunity last year and a couple of years ago, but I didn’t take it because I needed to take a break and reduce the pressure of MotoGP. That’s why I chose the Dakar and why I’m here in MotoAmerica. I need to get that hunger back, the motivation to do WorldSBK.”

How attracted are you by the championship?

"Very. I’d really like to take part, but I want to do it well. This year, mentally and physically speaking, I couldn’t have done both the Dakar and Superbike, it’s a big commitment. I view Superbike as being a similar commitment to MotoGP. I’d have to be absolutely 100% in order to compete.”

So for 2023, either Superbike or the Dakar.

"Yes, I’d like to do both but now I know what the Dakar is really like (he laughs)… I struggled, six months of injury and even in my everyday life I couldn’t train normally. First my ankle, then my knee, the burns, it was worrying. I struggle as I’m not 20 anymore and so the recovery times are longer.”

What would you expect from a wildcard entry?

"I’d like to do it because Portimão is a beautiful track and I won my last Superstock race there with Ducati back in 2011, before moving to MotoGP. It would also be great to ride with Pirelli tyres and get a good look at the SBK riders, but we’ll see, I don’t expect anything.”

Translated by Heather Watson

Ducati effective in MotoGP, but a first rider is needed in order to win the title