At the last minute, Fabio Di Giannantonio signs a one-year contract with VR46 – He gets to know the team at the Valencia test – His goals for 2024 are clear
After weeks of uncertainty, Fabio Di Giannantonio will also be a MotoGP regular in 2024. His strong performances in the fall (victory in Qatar) convinced the VR46 team to give the Italian a chance. He has signed a one-year contract.
“It was a process to get into this situation. After the race [in Valencia] we finalized everything and it was 100 percent certain where I would ride next year. It will be a new era, for me and for the team,” said Di Giannantonio happily.
He was born in the fall of 1998 and witnessed Valentino Rossi’s great successes as a child and teenager in Italy. Now he will ride for the team of a legend. “I still have to understand what’s happening,” laughs “Diggia”.
“I’m super proud to be riding a bike from Valentino’s team. I will also be able to learn a lot from him. It’s a great opportunity for me. I have a great crew. They are a winning team. I’ve always had a good relationship with everyone from the academy.”
“The aim is to continue my progress. I want to build on how I finished this season in the new year. The goal is more podiums and victories. We obviously have to do a lot and get to know each other better. I also need to get to know the team’s working methods.”
Di Giannantonio got to know the VR46 team at the test day in Valencia. He took over the crew from Luca Marini, with David Munoz as crew chief. “The team gave me a warm welcome. It was a good feeling. They tried to help me everywhere. “
Di Giannantonio started the test on his usual Ducati GP22. He then switched to the GP23. “The bike still has the character of a Ducati, but you have to brake differently and use your body differently. The position is different at the start of a corner.”
“The connection between the throttle grip and the grip is also slightly different,” are the first differences that the 25-year-old has felt. “We have to adjust to this so that I have a good feeling and am fast. It’s different, but we can work on it.”
“There is a lot of potential. Of course, the bike is different, which is why we have to adapt the set-up for me. My crew is super professional. After the first day, I can already say that I am learning new things. That is very important for me.”
Di Giannantonio spent three years in the Moto3 class with the Gresini team. After two Moto2 years with Speed-up, he switched back to Gresini. This was followed by two MotoGP years with the team. For him, Gresini is his family in the paddock, so to speak.
How do Gresini and VR46 differ? “I don’t want to make a comparison between the teams because they are different stories. I grew up with Gresini. Now the chapter could be that it will be my year. I have gained good experience to get results. “
