Octo Pramac Racing’s Paolo Campinoti chats to motogp.com about Petrucci’s success, finally landing Scott Redding and their aims for 2016.

Pramac CEO and Octo Pramac Racing Team Principal Paolo Campinoti chatted to motogp.com after Danilo Petrucci enjoyed a spectacular weekend at the British GP, riding from 18th on the gird to finish second and claim his first ever MotoGP™ podium. To make the weekend even better for the team they also announced the signing of EG 0,0 Marc VDS’s Scott Redding for 2016:

First up, you must have been delighted with Petrucci’s podium at Silverstone?

“It was an incredible weekend. Unfortunately, I could not be there, as I was taken by family commitments. I watched the race on TV: it was an amazing feeling, because after all the efforts we managed to get a podium. It was an excellent result, which was fully deserved by the team for all of their hard work.”



Did you think you could get a podium at the start of the season?

“Honestly, no. For us this was to be a transition year. And I did not expect to see such growth in Danilo [Petrucci] this season as he has developed into a really strong and mature rider, demonstrated perfectly by how he managed the race at Silverstone. He had set his sights set on chasing down Rossi, but in an intelligent way, decided to secure second and ensure the result for the team, without running any unnecessary risks that could have ruined his extraordinary performance.”



How hard is it for a Satellite team to score podiums?

“It was not the first and I hope not the last. In the past, we have won races, but in recent years to be a satellite team has become increasingly difficult; I even remember some cases where satellite teams were fighting for the title. I am confident for the future, especially with the introduction of the new regulations. We can play our part.”

What do you think Petrucci’s potential is?

“I'd be happy if it stayed where it is! He is currently eighth in the standings, a result beyond all expectations. In the future I believe he can be one of the best in the world. He is a complete professional, and a guy who goes strong in the wet.”



“He is not riding the latest version of the bike, so it will be rather interesting to see him next year, when we will all start equal with the new regulations. We will see how he handles the next step, but he is now a veteran of the team also from the psychological point of view.”



What version of the Desmosedici will you use next year?

“We will start on an even par and with the same bikes as the factory team, with a single control unit. Then it will depend on how the season unfolds. Ducati are always very attentive to the results. We hope we perform strong enough to receive updates that will allow us to grow. Last year, for example, Iannone was 'rewarded' by receiving the same equipment as the factory riders. This year it was not possible as it was a completely new project; but next year we will return to the status of 2014, with identical bikes for all.”



You announced the signing of Scott Redding for 2016 at the British GP, he is a rider you have been after for quite a while isn’t he?

“Yes, we had tried to get him last year as well, but he decided to stay at Honda. We really believe in him, he is a fast rider, who has already proved his value in Moto2™, which is where riders such as Marquez and Espargaro proved themselves as well. He is an aggressive driver, whose riding style should suit the character of the Ducati, a bike that needs to be ridden aggressively to get the most out of it. In my opinion, it could be a very good combination.”



With Redding and Petrucci in the team, and the same bikes as the factory guys, what do you think you can achieve in 2016?

“We hope to be one of the most competitive teams. They are both very fast, and therefore we will head into the season positive. Having a strong teammate is key, as it acts as a stimulus to drive each other on because the first objective is always to beat your teammate. They will spur each other on, and as a result, the whole team.”