Danilo Petrucci, after showcasing his prowess in the recent rounds of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, has confirmed that he will continue racing next season with the Barni Spark Racing Team. Petrucci, who has been consistently contending for podium finishes since his breakthrough round in June, aims to create history with the team. He has previously enjoyed significant success with Barni Ducati, having competed for the STK1000 title and securing three podiums in the first nine rounds of his debut year.
Petrucci’s journey with Marco Barnabo’s team began in STK1000 in 2011, where he narrowly missed the title, finishing just two points behind Davide Giugliano. He then transitioned to MotoGP™ and remained there until 2021. During this period, he clinched two race victories for Ducati. In addition to his MotoGP™ achievements, Petrucci also ventured into the Dakar Rally with KTM, where he secured a stage win. In 2022, he contested for the MotoAmerica title with Ducati before committing to Barni Ducati and WorldSBK for the 2023 season.
The two-time MotoGP™ race winner has consistently been among the top ten riders. However, his true potential was unveiled at Misano in June. Although he didn’t secure a win at Misano, he achieved his first WorldSBK podium at Donington Park, followed by two more at the Autodrom Most. After the mid-season break, Petrucci was on track for three top-five finishes, but a technical glitch in Race 2 at Magny-Cours relegated him to the seventh position.
Petrucci’s ambition is to win in multiple championships, including WorldSBK, MotoGP™, MotoAmerica, the Dakar Rally, STK600, and STK1000. To etch his name in the history books, he only needs a WorldSBK win. With this goal in mind, he has renewed his contract with Barni Ducati for the 2024 season, where he will be racing on the Panigale V4 R. With a year’s experience on this bike and familiarity with the circuits and tires, Petrucci is optimistic about concluding his rookie season on a high note and making significant strides in his second season.
Reflecting on his contract renewal and aspirations for 2024, Petrucci expressed his elation. He emphasized the challenges he faced in transitioning back to a World Championship and the initial doubts he had about the move. However, after a few races and achieving good results, both he and the Barni team were keen on continuing their partnership. Petrucci is eager to finish the current season and embark on the new one with numerous challenges ahead. He aims to consistently rank in the top five and eventually secure a win, fulfilling his dream of being one of the few riders to have won races in both MotoGP™ and WorldSBK.
Marco Barnabo, Team Principal, expressed his delight in retaining ‘Petrux’ for another season. He acknowledged the initial challenges due to the high competition level in the Championship but was confident that with hard work, they could achieve commendable results. The team has made modifications to the bike to cater to Petrucci’s requirements, and he has adapted accordingly. Barnabo expressed gratitude to Petrucci for his trust, the team for their relentless efforts, and the sponsors for their unwavering support.