Dovizioso: Petrucci lacked self-belief before 2019
Andrea Dovizioso says his Ducati teammate Danilo Petrucci lacked self-belief earlier in his MotoGP career, and feels Petrucci's breakthrough is down to understanding his strengths.
Petrucci, signed by Ducati on an initial one-year deal after a long stint as a MotoGP privateer, took his maiden win in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, beating Marc Marquez and Dovizioso.
Dovizioso and Petrucci began to train together in the off-season ahead of their first campaign as teammates, and after Mugello Petrucci thanked Dovizioso for “adopting me like a brother”.
Asked how he personally benefitted from a closer cooperation with Petrucci that seemed to be making his teammate a more dangerous rival, Dovizioso said: “Well, I think Danilo improved this season because he believes more in his self, and he understood his potential, what in the past he didn't really believe on that, and really didn't analyse and realise the good point of him.
“To train together - in our sport we can't train on a MotoGP, we have to find something different, but every time we're going flat track [racing] or motocross, we push each other. This puts us on the limit, we take the risk but it's part of our sport and I think it works, because fortunately both we came from motocross so we have this similar base.
“So in motocross we are quite fast, flat track we are similar, so we can really every time try to beat each other, and this is good.
“Yes, the consequence is the risk [that he will beat me], but I think can help both, because he's really talented and I think it's really positive.”
Petrucci's “very aggressive” overtake at Mugello led to Dovizioso dropping behind Marquez and losing ground in the title race.
However, Petrucci has since vowed to fully focus on helping out Dovizioso's title campaign against Honda's reigning champion.
Queried on the type of help he'd be expecting from Petrucci in the title race, Dovizioso said: “Nothing strange. I think like we did until now.
“If we can speak during the practice, we analyse, tyres, set-up, if you follow some other riders. Everything you can understand from the practice can always help you to manage every situation in a better way, I think.”
Previous article
Quartararo undergoes arm pump surgery
Next article
Rossi concedes Yamaha's mid-season drop-off a trend
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Event | Italian GP |
| Sub-event | Race |
| Drivers | Alex Rins |
| Teams | Team Suzuki MotoGP |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
