DANILO PETRUCCI IS BACK – ON A SUZUKI?

Much loved MotoGP star Danilo Petrucci will take the reigns of Joan Mir’s Suzuki this weekend at the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram.

Joan Mir has continued to have issues with the right ankle injury and will undergo another MRI scan forcing him to sit out of yet another MotoGP race.

Livio Suppo said he was grateful for Ducati’s understanding.

“Unfortunately after a new MRI, doctors have confirmed that Joan’s situation is improving but not enough to allow him to race in Thailand. Therefore, he will continue his rehabilitation in order to be fit for Phillip Island. He will be replaced in Buriram this weekend by Danilo Petrucci. We would like to thank Ducati for allowing Danilo to take this opportunity. We know Danilo is a “flagship” for them and we really appreciate it – it goes to show that passion and understanding is more important than anything else in our sport. We therefore welcome Danilo to our team, we will do our best to make this weekend unforgettable for him!”

Petrucci will follow the stand-in rides from Kazuki Watanabe and Takuya Tsuda in the San Marino and Japanese GPs respectivel

Petrux has had 10 MotoGP podiums, including two victories during his GP career and then went on to take a stage win in the infamous desert race, the first ever former GP winner to achieve this feat. He has been racing in the MotoAmerica series in 2022, securing five wins, and narrowly missing out on the championship crown at last weekend’s season finale. Now he’s ready to step onto Suzuki’s MotoGP machine for another shot in the premier class.

Petrucci is understandably excited about the coming weekend.

“Needless to say, I’m so happy for the chance to race in Thailand with Team Suzuki Ecstar. I want to thank the Team for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I also want to thank Ducati and my current team management for letting me take this stand-in ride. I’m really curious to jump on the GSX-RR and try it, it looks very fast and we know it’s a winning machine. I’m also eager to work with the Suzuki crew, that I’ve known for a long time now and we have a wonderful relationship. I know it won’t be easy, so I’m not putting any expectations on the experience, I just want to enjoy it. I’m also excited to be one of the few riders in history jumping from a MotoGP machine to a Dakar bike, a Superbike, then another factory MotoGP bike!”

Alex Rins scored a fifth place finish on MotoGP’s last visit to Thailand in 2019, and the Spaniard is raring to go after a competitive but ultimately disappointing Japanese GP last week.

“It’s really nice to come back to Buriram,” said Rins “not least because the fans here are incredibly passionate about motorcycle racing and the atmosphere is always really exciting. As everyone knows, Motegi wasn’t a positive race for us, but I did get a huge boost from the Japanese fans and I want to take that support into the remaining races.”

The Thailand Grand Prix will take place in Buriram this weekend 30 September – 2 October.