Redding 'glad' to have missed out on Ducati's 2017 MotoGP bike
Scott Redding says he is "glad" he missed out satellite squad Pramac's only 2017 Ducati, as it puts pressure on his MotoGP team-mate Danilo Petrucci to perform
Redding came out second best in an intra-team battle with Petrucci over the second half of last season to get a factory-specification Ducati in 2017, and will ride a year-old bike.
Despite ending up with theoretically inferior equipment, Redding outshone Petrucci in last weekend's season opener in Qatar, topping second practice and qualifying sixth on the strength of that time with qualifying washed out.
Redding converted his grid slot into a seventh-place finish, while Petrucci retired from 10th place with a suspected battery issue after starting 11th.
"It's not really a battle now between me and Danilo," said Redding.
"It's definitely a bit easier knowing he has a different bike, and that it's a better bike.
"So if he beats me, that's how it should be; if I beat him, he is in big trouble.
"That's something for me that is probably going to help me, a little bit less pressure, a little bit less stress - especially when things aren't going right.
"If it doesn't go right for me, I'm a little bit on the side. If it doesn't go right for him, people know he has a GP17, and if he can't perform with it he is going to be the only one that feels the pressure.
"In a way, when I look at the problems at he's been having, I'm actually quite glad I didn't have the bike at this moment in time."
As well as finishing as the top satellite rider in Qatar, Redding said ending up within 10 seconds of race winner Maverick Vinales was encouraging after a tough winter.
The Briton struggled for front-end grip, but a change of forks during the final test provided a way forwards.
"If you asked me two tests ago saying that you would finish seventh, I would have laughed," said the 24-year-old.
"But we got our head down, we knew what we had to do.
"In the end I'm happy to be nine or 10 seconds from the leader, I think that's the closest I've been for a long time in a completely dry race.
"That's the real positive to me because always last year it was 20-25 seconds, so to be under 10 seconds is a step forward."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Suzuki didn't see its tough start to 2017 MotoGP season coming
Miller sick of Honda MotoGP bike's continued acceleration deficit
The winners and losers of MotoGP's reshuffle
Redding: MotoGP teams’ approach to riders now “not respectful”
Redding's "free spirit" attitude didn't suit MotoGP, says Pramac boss
Redding: I've got to 'do a Marquez'
Ducati: COTA MotoGP podium “essential step” for Bastianini
Martin: Bagnaia still MotoGP title favourite in 2024 but fight is wide open
The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes
Why Imola could bring “more chaos” to the WEC
Alonso hit with penalty for Sainz clash in China F1 sprint
Norris had no reason to apologise for China F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Supercars New Zealand: Heimgartner splashes to Taupo opener victory
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments