Qatar Test: Petrucci 'removes doubts' as Ducati shows pace
Jack Miller may have been the only Ducati rider in the top nine on the final day of📖 MotoGP pre-season testi𝄹ng in Qatar but fellow GP20 riders Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Dovizioso and Francesco Bagnaia were all buoyed by the results of a race simulation.
The Desmosedicis had been unable to match the long-run form of the top Yamaha (🐈Maverick Vinales), both Suzukis (Alex Rins ♏and Joan Mir) and even the Aprilia of Aleix Espargaro at the previous Sepang test.

Jack Miller may have been the only Ducati rider in the top nine on the final day of MotoGP pre-season testing in Qatar but fellow GP20 rꦅiders Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Dovizioso an𓂃d Francesco Bagnaia were all buoyed by the results of a race simulation.
The Desmosedicis had been unable to match the long-run form of the top Yamaha (Maverick Vinales), both Su𝔉zukis (Alex Rins and Joan Mir) and even the Aprilia of Aleix Espargaro at the previous Sepang test.
While in Malaysia, Petrucci and Dovizioso got significantly slower as the laps progressed an𓆏d Bagnaia was off the pace throughout, at Losail the trio were still mixing it with the pace of t🔴he Petronas Yamahas by the end of their runs.
Petrucci was per൲haps the most impressive of the trio, setting his fastest lap of the night with a full tank of fuel at the start of his race simulation. The Italian was only 0.8s slower at the end, with 21-laps o🎉n the tyres.
“I am happy about this final day of testing here in Qatar," said Petrucci, despite being only 16th fastest (+0.894s) over a sꦫingle lap.
"We tried to manage our ဣlast session well without focusing on lap times and giving priority to the long run.
"We were able to cover the same distance as the race and to remove the doubts that we stꦦill had.
"Now we need to work well during the race weekend to be able tꦕo secure a good starting positio𓆏n for the race.
"As we were fast durin💛g the race simulation, I am sure that we will be able to be competitive also in𝓡 the race."

As at Sepang, Dovizioso joined Petrucci on track during the longღ run, so they could better simulate race conditions.
“I am really satisfied with the work done today," said Dovizioso, winner in Qatar for the pasꦇt two seasons. "We were able to try different setups that helpedꦕ us understand that we still have some room left for improvement.
"The most positive aspect of today was the race simulation. With used tyres, I was able to cover the race distance without proble🌞ms.
"On top of that, I did a few laps behind Danilo, which helped me to understand how to manage bettꦰer the tyres. My race pace is good, and I am sure that if we can be fast as the front guys, then we will be able to fight for the top positions during ജthe race weekend."
Dovizioso was tenth on the final timesheets (+0.454s) and just ahead🦋 of Pramac's Bagnaia, who turned heads by being close to Petrucci's pace after 20 laps.
"It was a test w🦩here we improved a lot, in particularly about race pace, I’m sorry for the time attack today, because I found traffic in my best🐠 lap," Bagnaia said.
"What makes me happy and confident is the race simulation. For sure we can improve, bu🌊t after this test I have a clear idea about the ra💛ce approach and I have more confidence with my bike."
🌊Team-mꦚate Jack Miller was the fastest Ducati in fifth (+0.247s).The Australian didn't put in a full race simulation, but was satisfied with his final run of half-race distance.
"It was a good day, we did two long runs and the second one was better, where I improved my race pace," he said.📖 "With the medium t🐠yres my feeling was much better, we can still improve a lot and I am confident that before GP we will find the answers we are looking for."
All the GP20s now have the rid🔯e-height adjuster handlebar switch, an extension of the holeshot device, which allows the𝔉m to lock the rear of the bike in a lowered position on the exit of corners for better acceleration.

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino R🤪ossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.