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 tools 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 immediately 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 group to get a factory-spec bike and full technical assist from the Borgo Panigale marque.

The Italian is hoping this can enable him to combine with former champions Marquez and Bagnaia in MotoGP subsequent 12 months, however thinks there gained’t be a lot stress on him to carry out on the prime stage.

“It is a wonderful alternative, that is how it’s,” he instructed GPOne. “This season on the GP25 might be a wonderful alternative to turn into a fair higher rider.

“It is a accountability, it is one thing I have been searching for all my life, however on the similar time we aren’t the ‘reds’ immediately, so in actuality we will nonetheless ‘play’. The accountability of being in an official group is totally different, there you must win, so I feel that form of accountability might be particularly felt by Pecco and Marc”.

“We are able to have quite a lot 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 similar stage. So I do not see any detrimental elements, however solely an incredible alternative. I am sorry I did not get podiums this 12 months, for the group, I would like to do effectively to see them have fun.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Staff

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs

“As I typically say, nevertheless, I do not wish to take into consideration the outcomes already, the aim should be to develop and benefit from the expertise: benefit from the GP25, go quick, take pleasure in this second for which now we have sweated, benefit from the privileged relationship with Ducati, and ultimately 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 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 obtained optimistic suggestions on the brand new bike from Ducati take a look at 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 start out the subsequent chapter of his profession within the Sepang take a look at in February.

“I can not wait to strive it to personally perceive what feeling it would 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 wrestle a lot in using on the tempo now we have been used to this 12 months. This in itself would already be a major step ahead. It might enable me to optimize my using fashion, not having to concentrate on optimizing the bundle.

“Clearly I do not take something without any consideration, it’s nonetheless a brand new bike and there might be a interval of adaptation, however I definitely anticipate to start out from a wonderful base.”