Both the Ducati Team riders will start from the third row of the grid in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.

Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci obtained seventh and eighth quickest time respectively at the end of the Q2 qualifying session, which was held on an almost entirely dry track.

This morning’s FP3 session took place in heavy rain and it saw Petrucci top the timesheets with Dovizioso in sixth place: both factory Ducati men were able to go through directly into Q2 thanks to the times they had set in yesterday’s combined free practice standings.


Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 1’46.410 (7th)

“Our qualifying session was a bit difficult because there were still some damp patches on the track, and I wasn’t able to have a really fluid riding style there. It’s a pity about the third row, but we are in quite good shape for the race: let’s hope the warm-up tomorrow morning is dry because we still have to do an important test, with the aim of being protagonists in the race.”

Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – 1’46.427 (8th)

“Our intention was to at least get onto the second row, but the track conditions were rather complicated, and it was easy to make a mistake: unfortunately, I made one right on the last lap and wasn’t able to improve my time. In any case, I think we can be competitive tomorrow and, even though I’m starting a little bit further back on the grid, I’m convinced I can do a good race.”

The Ducati riders will be back on track tomorrow, Sunday 20th October, at 09.40 local time (02.40 CET) for the warm-up, while the 24-lap race will start at 15.00 in Japan (08.00 CET).