P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Barni Spark Racing rider Danilo Petrucci has set his sights on a podium finish at the upcoming Assen WorldSBK round, though he anticipates stiff competition.
Italian rider Danilo Petrucci is returning to the Cathedral of Speed after missing the 2024 edition due to a life-threatening Motocross accident, marking his first appearance since his debut year in 2023. His 2025 campaign has been strong, with consistent top-six finishes at Phillip Island and Portimao, including a podium appearance at the former. Despite his success, Petrucci is currently third in the championship standings behind Toprak Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega. Looking ahead to the upcoming WorldSBK weekend in Assen, Petrucci expressed his satisfaction with his position in the standings, but acknowledged the tough competition. He highlighted the challenge of staying competitive against Razgatlioglu and Bulega and emphasized the need for improvement to reach their level of performance. Additionally, Petrucci discussed the adjustment of fuel flow limits for BMW and Ducati ahead of the race weekend, expressing uncertainty about the effects but remaining hopeful for a strong and fast performance with his Ducati Panigale V4 R.
