Di Giannantonio will attempt to “annoy” Marquez and Bagnaia on Ducati GP25

Fabio di Giannantonio says he’ll attempt to “annoy” Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia when he’s on the identical gear because the manufacturing facility Ducati riders in MotoGP subsequent 12 months.

On the again of his spectacular type astride a year-old bike in 2024, di Giannantonio has landed a contract instantly with Ducati to trip its newest GP25 at VR46 subsequent 12 months.

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 12 months, di Giannantonio will now be the one rider exterior the official workforce to get a factory-spec bike and full technical help 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 12 months, however thinks there gained’t be a lot strain on him to carry out on the prime degree.

“It is a lovely alternative, that is how it’s,” he advised GPOne. “This season on the GP25 will likely be a lovely alternative to turn out to be a good higher rider.

“It is a duty, it is one thing I have been in search of all my life, however on the identical time we’re not the ‘reds’ at this time, so in actuality we will nonetheless ‘play’. The duty of being in an official workforce is completely different, there you need to win, so I believe that form of duty will likely be particularly felt by Pecco and Marc”.

“We are able to have a number of enjoyable, attempt to be the outsiders, we will attempt to annoy them, and this will even give me the chance to study quite a bit from them by engaged on their identical degree. So I do not see any unfavourable facets, however solely a terrific alternative. I am sorry I did not get podiums this 12 months, for the workforce, I would love to do properly to see them have fun.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Staff

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs

“As I typically say, nevertheless, I do not wish to take into consideration the outcomes already, the aim have to be to develop and benefit from the expertise: benefit from the GP25, go quick, take pleasure in 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 12 months, he outperformed his extra skilled team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, ending in tenth place within the riders’ championship.

However having picked up an damage on his left shoulder in Austria, he was compelled to skip the final two races of the 12 months to be able to bear a surgical procedure.

The lengthy restoration interval meant he was additionally absent from the post-season check at Barcelona final month – and thus missed out on the chance to trip the brand new GP25 prototype.

Nonetheless, having acquired optimistic suggestions on the brand new bike from Ducati check rider Michele Pirro, who was ready 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 begin the subsequent chapter of his profession within the Sepang check in February.

“I am unable to wait to attempt it to personally perceive what feeling it is going to give me,” he stated. “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 stunned.

“Above all, I anticipate to not battle a lot in driving on the tempo we’ve been used to this 12 months. This in itself would already be a big step ahead. It might enable me to optimize my driving fashion, not having to give attention to optimizing the bundle.

“Clearly I do not take something as a right, it’s nonetheless a brand new bike and there will likely be a interval of adaptation, however I definitely anticipate to begin from a wonderful base.”

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