Petrucci: "I would have sold my house for this podium!"

Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) has been on the podium before in the premier class, but Mugello marked his dry weather debut on the rostrum after a stunning ride up into third from P9 on the grid. Initially content with a solid fourth once in the front group, the Italian then reminded himself where he was racing - and thought the Italian GP was the place to push for glory. 

Danilo Petrucci, P3: “It’s incredible. If anyone asked me what I would give to be on the podium, I would have said I’d sell my house! It’s unbelievable. Yesterday was quite strange because I crashed on the out lap and I thought, ‘what a great morning’. Then I started to push with the other bike and my laptime was lowering, then I finished the bike. In qualifying from Q1 it was tough, but I was more confident compared to the others. I did a good lap but I made a mistake. Everyone said ‘ok but tomorrow you can be fast’…I knew in previous races I’d started badly but was fast at the end. Today I knew I had to stay with the others at the front to have a good race, and when I was in fourth, I said ‘ok, you’re fourth – wait for the last lap…’ but then I thought ‘ok, it’s your home Grand Prix…try’. I passed Valentino, then Maverick, and tried with Dovi – but it wasn’t so easy. Trying to stay with him I finished my rear tyre. When Maverick passed me I looked behind if maybe Valentino was further, but he wasn’t…but in the end I managed to stay on the podium and it was a great day for me.”