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 kind astride a year-old bike in 2024, di Giannantonio has landed a contract instantly with Ducati to journey 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.

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

“It is a stupendous alternative, that is how it’s,” he informed GPOne. “This season on the GP25 might be a stupendous alternative to grow to be a fair higher rider.

“It is a accountability, 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 accountability of being in an official workforce is totally different, there it’s a must to win, so I feel that sort of accountability might be particularly felt by Pecco and Marc”.

“We are able to have a whole lot of enjoyable, attempt to be the outsiders, we will attempt to annoy them, and this may also give me the chance to be taught loads from them by engaged on their identical stage. So I do not see any damaging features, however solely a terrific alternative. I am sorry I did not get podiums this 12 months, for the workforce, I would love to do effectively to see them rejoice.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Workforce

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

“As I typically say, nevertheless, I do not need to take into consideration the outcomes already, the purpose should be to develop and benefit from the expertise: benefit from the GP25, go quick, take pleasure in this second for which we now have sweated, benefit from the privileged relationship with Ducati, and ultimately we’ll 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 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 pressured to skip the final two races of the 12 months with the intention to endure 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 journey the brand new GP25 prototype.

Nonetheless, having acquired constructive 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 start out the subsequent chapter of his profession within the Sepang check in February.

“I can not wait to strive 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 count on to not wrestle a lot in using on the tempo we now have been used to this 12 months. This in itself would already be a big step ahead. It could permit me to optimize my using model, not having to give attention to optimizing the package deal.

“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 count on to start out from a superb base.”