Petrucci: More worried and disappointed about the feeling with new tyre

Struggles with the soft tyre continued on day-one of the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix for Danilo Petrucci who was six tenths away from the top ten.

Petrucci finished FP2 17th fastest for the Tech 3 KTM team - lamenting the same soft tyres issues as ‘Portimao’ as to why he can’t improve ‘the feeling’. 

According to the former Ducati rider, there were good and bad takeaways to be had from the day, saying: "I’m quite happy about the feeling on the bike. We had new parts (Including new seat), and in some areas they worked, some areas they did not, so yeah it was positive and negative. 

"I’m more worried and disappointed about the feeling I have with the new tyre because I’m feeling that the tyre is already old. 

"I’m quite happy about the pace on the used tyres and I think we can fight for the top ten, but with the new tyre, the soft one, I cannot improve the lap time. I’m the only one so it’s my problem and it is like the one I had in Portimao. We have to improve that side." 

While Petrucci was only 17th at the conclusion of FP2, it seems a return to the familiar venue that is Jerez has showcased a bit more about the RC16 bike’s potential - at least with factory riders Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira who were both inside the top ten. 

Petrucci also believes he can compete for the top ten but is struggling to find the differences with ‘new’ and ‘old’ tyres, and unless significant gains come before qualifying, it could be another missed opportunity in the race due to the time you lose when further down the order.

Petrucci added: "With this bike at this moment I’m struggling to find some differences with the new tyre and the old tyre. 

"From one side it is really okay because it means we can be quite constant all the race, but on the other side if you don’t start at the front in these MotoGP races you lose five seconds in the first two laps and your race is already over since the first two laps. 

"We have to improve that side, to do a better qualifying and start in a better position. I feel better with the hard tyre. 

"Maybe tomorrow I will try also the hard with more temperature on the track. I think it could be a good choice for tomorrow."