He is being courted by Yamaha, but Fabio Di Giannantonio’s main goal is to stay with VR46-Ducati – but one condition must be met
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s strong performances this MotoGP season have made him a highly sought-after candidate in the rider market for 2025. Yamaha has loudly expressed its interest in signing the Italian for Pramac. The satellite team will switch to Yamaha from 2025
However, Di Giannantonio’s priority is to extend his contract with his current team VR46, as he revealed on the sidelines of the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.
“As I said, there is plan A, B and C – exactly in that order,” said the 25-year-old when asked about his future. “So in the event that we don’t have the right project with this team, there is Plan B and Plan C. But the aim is to continue with this team. We will negotiate that in the next few weeks.”
By the right project, Di Giannantonio is referring to the possibility of riding the current factory Ducati at VR46 in 2025. Until now, the team has always been equipped with the previous year’s model. However, since Pramac is changing manufacturers, VR46 could at least receive one of the three current prototypes for the 2025 season.
“If it doesn’t work out, there are alternatives,” says Di Giannantonio. But plan A is to stay with VR46, even though the Italian knows that the team has other options.
“It’s a really good team, a great team. And because it is so great, of course it has other options. I think there is a long list of riders who would like to join the team. I’m aware of that,” said the Italian.
VR46 team boss wants to keep Di Giannantonio
However, Di Giannantonio is also at the top of the list for VR46. Team manager Uccio Salucci confirmed to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com at the Sachsenring: “Yes, I would like to extend his contract. Hopefully that will happen in these days.”
“There are so many teams that want him now, but I wonder where they were last year. Now they’re here and we’ll see what happens in the near future. “
In fact, Di Giannantonio was temporarily without a job for this season after leaving Gresini in 2023, but then found a new home at VR46 and has integrated well, even if he is not part of the VR46 academy like his predecessors in the team.
“Diggia was a pleasant surprise in many ways: character, way of working. I honestly didn’t expect him to be like this,” admits Salucci. “I knew that one day the team would have to open up to non-academy riders. “
VR46 and Di Giannantonio on the same wavelength
“We also talked a lot about this with Valentino and we were always ready to get involved in this new thing, as we are doing with Diggia. It’s also a reason for personal growth, because I was used to working with riders that I’ve known since they were kids and that I know like the back of my hand.”
“With Diggia, on the other hand, it was a blank slate that we filled in together. He does his job very well and I would like to continue working with him.”
Because apart from the human component, the VR46 team boss emphasizes that the performance is also right: “In my opinion, Diggia has a very good championship.”
“He’s doing really well. He was fourth in Assen, he’s always there and close to the podium. And that’s considering the situation he came from, he didn’t have a bike.” Looking ahead to the 2025 MotoGP season, this will certainly not happen to Di Giannantonio.
