Petrucci 'happy to entertain'

Danilo Petrucci admits he's not a 'great videogame player' in general, but the Ducati MotoGP star is happy to help entertain the fans during the coronavirus lockdown by taking part in the Virtual races.

The Italian finished sixth after fending off a last-corner attack from friend Valentino Rossi on his previous digital appearance, at the Red Bull Ring.

Peter McLaren

01 May 2020

The Italian finished sixth after fending off a last-corner attack from friend Valentino Rossi on his previous digital appearance, at the Red Bull Ring.

Petrucci will return to represent the factory Ducati team in this Sunday's broadcast of the Virtual Grand Prix of Spain, at the Jerez circuit, to coincide with the original date of the postponed Spanish GP.

Not only have Moto2 and Moto3 events been added for this weekend, but riders will also be using the latest MotoGP 2020 videogame for the first time.

“I am quite curious to see how this second Virtual Race will go for me," Petrucci said.

"Compared to the Virtual Race 2, this time we will be playing with the new MotoGP 20 videogame. I am already training a bit with it these days, and it is truly realistic!

"In general, I am not a great videogame player, and maybe, this will be a disadvantage for me against the youngest riders, but I am happy to be able to participate and entertain all the fans that are waiting to see us on track soon.”

Sunday's broadcast will start at 3:00pm (CET) with the eleven MotoGP riders competing over a 13-lap distance, the equivalent of 50% of the real grand prix.

Highlights of the qualifying sessions will be broadcasted before each of the three races, which will follow the traditional order of Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.

Petrucci's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso is among the riders not to have yet taken part in a digital race.