MotoGP BREAKING: VR46 Confirms Fabio Di Giannantonio's Future

Saajan Jogia | Aug 7, 2024

Apr 13, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Fabio di Giannantonio (49) of Italy and Pertamina Enduro VR46 rides during the qualifying session for the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Valentino Rossi's VR46 Racing Team has extended Fabio Di Giannantonio's contract, ensuring he will remain with the team for the 2025 MotoGP season as a factory-contracted rider. Di Giannantonio secured his place in MotoGP last year by winning the Qatar Grand Prix in the penultimate race of the season.

The Italian rider will become the third rider contracted by the Bologna brand to race a factory-spec Desmosedici for the next two seasons, with only three such bikes available from next year. This announcement follows the British GP weekend, during which Ducati confirmed that VR46 will be the official satellite team for the Borgo Panigale factory. VR46 will take over this role from Pramac, which will transition to becoming Yamaha's official satellite team at the end of 2024.

Revealing the news in a statement, as reported by Crash.net, Di Giannantonio said:

“Nine months ago I found myself without a bike to continue my dream and today I sign a contract with two of the most important entities in MotoGP; it's hard to believe.

“I'm very happy to be able to continue this fantastic journey together with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Ducati Corse for the next two seasons. I arrived here almost by chance, but I immediately felt at home and with the team we are doing really well.

“I will be on the track for two years with the official Ducati — we can and must aim to achieve ambitious results. It's a huge project, where I feel 100% involved and we can aim for the top step of the podium."

Although Ducati Lenovo team manager Davide Tardozzi had previously revealed to French broadcaster Canal+ at Silverstone that VR46 would receive one factory-spec Desmosedici (GP25) for Di Giannantonio and a year-old model (GP24) for Franco Morbidelli, only Di Giannantonio’s 2025 status has been officially confirmed. Morbidelli's ride on a Desmosedici GP24 for 2025 is still to be confirmed.

Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager, expressed pride in retaining Di Giannantonio for the upcoming seasons. He said:

"We are happy to have Fabio Di Giannantonio among our Ducati riders for the next two years. Diggia has always shown great confidence in our project, and his dedication and talent have led him to grow steadily in MotoGP.”

Alessio Salucci, Director of the VR46 Racing Team, confirmed that Di Giannantonio’s contract is with Ducati directly and not with the team. He added:

“We can confirm that Fabio, thanks to the agreement signed directly with the Borgo Panigale Factory, will wear the team’s neon yellow for the next two seasons.

“I can’t hide my satisfaction, he arrived here at the last minute, he’s working so hard, he’s always there with the strongest guys and he deserves this result.”