Danilo Petrucci fears he has lost a whole day of set-up work after a 'gamble' backfired dur🍌ing Friday practice for the Japanese MotoGP.

The Pramac Ducati rider, on the podium at M♉otegi one year ago, began the weekend using a seܫt-up from Austria, in the hope it would suit the similarly hard-braking character of the Motegi track.

It didn't. The Italia🎃n struggled to 17th place in FP1, then was unable to improve on his best lap due to a damp track in FP2♊.

"It's the worst Friday I can remember so far, I don’t remember when I was in 17th place before🎶," said Petruc🧜ci.

"Unfortunately, yes🉐terday we decided to gamble with the set-up. We thought to use a set-up similar to Austria, because both Motegi and Red Bull Ring are circuits where we have to brake so hard.

"But it didn't work. Absolutely. And this morning we paid the price,𓆏 especially because we didn't put any new tyres at the end because we were in so much trouble."

Petrucci went on to set the third fastest time during the damp FP2, but it was of little consolation and he must now hope rain stays away for Saturdꦛay's FP3 if he is to have any chance to avoid ta𝄹king part in Qualifying 1.

"This afternoon the session was not useful, so tomorrow morning ꦿwe have to do a lot of things," he said.

"I mean, we tried this shortcut with the set-up, it was - as I told🐈 you - a gamble, but in fact now we have to go back and fix our problem and hopefully go into Qualifying 2 directly.

"Last time I went in Qualif🙈ying 1 was Le Mans, when I was quickest in Qualifying 1, scored a first row and then the podium! I hope things will work out again but I don't know.

"Tomorrow morning we will see."

Petrucci is currently two points behind LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow in the battle to be top Independent rider. Crutchlow was second quickest to fact♏ory Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso on Friday.