Fabio di Giannantonio says he’ll attempt to “annoy” Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia when he’s on the identical tools because the manufacturing facility Ducati riders in MotoGP subsequent yr.
On the again of his spectacular type astride a year-old bike in 2024, di Giannantonio has landed a contract straight with Ducati to trip its newest GP25 at VR46 subsequent yr.
The phrases of the deal give him the identical standing that allowed Jorge Martin to win the 2024 MotoGP title with Pramac. Nonetheless, whereas Franco Morbidelli additionally loved the identical privilege at Pramac this yr, di Giannantonio will now be the one rider outdoors the official workforce to get a factory-spec bike and full technical assist from the Borgo Panigale marque.
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The Italian is hoping it will enable him to combine with former champions Marquez and Bagnaia in MotoGP subsequent yr, however thinks there gained’t be a lot strain on him to carry out on the high degree.
“It is an attractive alternative, that is how it’s,” he informed GPOne. “This season on the GP25 shall be an attractive alternative to turn out to be a good higher rider.
“It is a duty, it is one thing I have been searching for all my life, however on the similar time we aren’t the ‘reds’ right now, so in actuality we will nonetheless ‘play’. The duty of being in an official workforce is completely different, there it’s a must to win, so I feel that form of duty shall be particularly felt by Pecco and Marc”.
“We will have a variety of enjoyable, attempt to be the outsiders, we will attempt to annoy them, and this may even give me the chance to study so much from them by engaged on their similar degree. So I do not see any detrimental points, however solely an excellent alternative. I am sorry I did not get podiums this yr, for the workforce, I would like to do properly to see them have a good time.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Staff
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
“As I typically say, nonetheless, I do not need to take into consideration the outcomes already, the purpose have to be to develop and benefit from the expertise: benefit from the GP25, go quick, get pleasure from this second for which we’ve sweated, benefit from the privileged relationship with Ducati, and in the long run we are going to draw a line and see the way it went!”
Di Giannantonio’s MotoGP profession was seemingly coming to an finish after 2023 as six-time premier class champion Marquez broke his contract at Honda to take the Italian’s spot at Gresini.
However that announcement coincided with an upturn in type for the Italian, resulting in his maiden grand prix victory on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Discovering a reprieve at VR46 this yr, he outperformed his extra skilled team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, ending in tenth place within the riders’ championship.
However having picked up an harm on his left shoulder in Austria, he was pressured to skip the final two races of the yr as a way to bear a surgical procedure.
The lengthy restoration interval meant he was additionally absent from the post-season take a look at at Barcelona final month – and thus missed out on the chance to trip the brand new GP25 prototype.
Nonetheless, having acquired constructive suggestions on the brand new bike from Ducati take a look at rider Michele Pirro, who was in a position to attract a direct comparability between the 2 variations of the Desmosedici after racing the GP23 in Barcelona, the 26-year-old is raring to start out the subsequent chapter of his profession within the Sepang take a look at in February.
“I am unable to wait to attempt it to personally perceive what feeling it should give me,” he mentioned. “From the amazed feedback of those that tried the GP23 once more [Pirro], to then get on the GP25 [in the test], I used to be shocked.
“Above all, I count on to not battle a lot in driving on the tempo we’ve been used to this yr. This in itself would already be a major step ahead. It might enable me to optimize my driving type, not having to concentrate on optimizing the package deal.
“Clearly I do not take something as a right, it’s nonetheless a brand new bike and there shall be a interval of adaptation, however I definitely count on to start out from a wonderful base.”
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