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Seeing Danilo Petrucci at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans would’ve been interesting. As was recently anticipated, the Ducati ERC team (involved in the Endurance World Championship) had contacted the rider from Terni, proposing he participate in the opening race of the Championship scheduled for mid-April.
We intercepted Danilo, while he was training on his bike, to ask him for explanations on the matter.
“Recently, the Ducati ERC team offered me to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” he told us. “It would’ve been very cool, because I consider it a historic, prestigious and, at the same time, fascinating race, given that it takes place during the day and at night. Reluctantly, however, I had to decline, because I want to stay focused on World SBK. In fact, next week we’ll be in Barcelona for the tests, and then the SBK round in Assen is immediately the week after the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
The possibility has vanished.
“Personally, I thank Ducati and the ERC team for this offer. The fact is that, besides too many close appointments, the time available to prepare for a 24 Hours is very little. If I had to take part in a World Endurance race, I’d like to take the time I need, trying to organize everything in the best possible way, and go out on the track with the aim of reaching an important result.”
But Petrux hasn’t close the door on this event.
“Unfortunately, that’s how it went this time. But I’d really like to be able to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024. It’s a pretty tough race, because each rider drives for a good eight hours, and it’s certainly not a simple thing. Other than Le Mans, one race I’d really like to participate in is the Suzuka 8 Hours. That’s a truly heartfelt and unique race. If I had the chance, I wouldn’t back down.”
