Scott Redding believes he is better off with the GP16 Ducati than the 2017 factory machine of Pramac team-mate Danilo Petrucci, at least for now.

The Italian won the very latest Desmosedici by outscoring Redding during the second half of last season, but appears yet to benefit.

Petrucci, whose role is understood to involve testing parts for the factory team, was ranked 14th-14th-18th in the three official pre-season tests, then retired from tenth with a technical problem in the Qatar season opener.

Meanwhile Redding, thriving in a 'pressure free' environment and tyre friendly machinery, was the top satellite rider in seventh place, nine seconds from race winner Maverick Vinales.

"Right now, yes," Redding replied, when asked if was happy to have a GP16 rather than GP17. "They are still developing a lot the [GP17] and I see Danilo is sometimes struggling with some problems, which is normal with a new bike. Maybe if you ask me the question in six-seven races time I'll give you a different answer. But now I'm going to take my bike, make the best I can with it and see how it pans out."

Asked to compare his GP16 to the GP15 of last season, the Englishman replied: "I can get a lot more quality laps from the tyre. So when you look at my race run from the first lap to the last lap there was only a couple of tenths difference. And in Qatar I set my fastest lap with five laps to go in the race.

"It's much more consistency from the tyre, which gives me confidence in the race because I know that I can hold the guys. Last year I was like, 'I've got six, seven laps and then they're going to pull away'. I know not to stress a tyre, I know I have the pace, so I just have to let it go its own way and do its own thing."

All of which is in contrast to last season, where Redding put himself under pressure and underestimated the rate of improvement by his factory rivals. Now he is focussed on achieving realistic goals.

"Last year was different. I had a bit higher expectations because of the new tyres, I thought 'we can make this'. But I underestimated the knowledge of the other guys to improve. They improved a lot faster than I expected.

"Now I know a bit more - because I'm still new at this game, and I learn a bit more how the guys can react when there is a problem. Like Valentino, you see him struggle all weekend in Qatar, and then he makes a good race on Sunday.

"So now, after knowing in the test I could do it, I stayed relaxed, calm, no pressure. People don't expect me to win races, people don't really expect me to go on the podium, so I shouldn't even expect that myself.

"My job is to try to stay in the top ten. And like last week, it was a good weekend, and then we go in the top eight. But if it's a tough weekend, we have to salvage the best we can, because we're on a satellite bike, and we can't have the best of the best, so we have to do the results that are actually achievable."