Di Giannantonio will try 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 unit Ducati riders in MotoGP subsequent yr.

On the again of his spectacular kind astride a year-old bike in 2024, di Giannantonio has landed a contract immediately with Ducati to experience 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 exterior the official crew to get a factory-spec bike and full technical help from the Borgo Panigale marque.

Watch: Rating Autosport’s High 50 Drivers of 2024 – 30 to 21

The Italian is hoping this may permit him to combine with former champions Marquez and Bagnaia in MotoGP subsequent yr, however thinks there received’t be a lot strain 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 shall be a wonderful alternative to grow to be a fair higher rider.

“It is a duty, it is one thing I have been searching for all my life, however on the identical time we aren’t the ‘reds’ at this time, so in actuality we will nonetheless ‘play’. The duty of being in an official crew is completely different, there it’s a must to win, so I believe that type of duty shall be particularly felt by Pecco and Marc”.

“We will have a whole lot of enjoyable, attempt to be the outsiders, we will attempt to annoy them, and this can even give me the chance to be taught so much from them by engaged on their identical stage. So I do not see any destructive features, however solely an incredible alternative. I am sorry I did not get podiums this yr, for the crew, I would like to do properly to see them have fun.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Group

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs

“As I typically say, nonetheless, I do not wish to take into consideration the outcomes already, the objective should be to develop and benefit from the expertise: benefit from the GP25, go quick, take pleasure in this second for which we’ve got 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 kind 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 damage 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 experience 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 begin the following 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 is going to 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 anticipate to not wrestle a lot in driving on the tempo we’ve got been used to this yr. This in itself would already be a major step ahead. It might permit me to optimize my driving model, not having to concentrate on optimizing the bundle.

“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 actually anticipate to begin from a superb base.”

Learn Additionally: