Fabio di Giannantonio has finalized a contract directly with Ducati, allowing him to race for the VR46 team in MotoGP next season.
As reported by Motorsport.com last month, di Giannantonio has secured a two-year agreement that will keep him in Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP team through to the end of the current regulations in 2026.
He will be among the only three riders on the 2025 grid competing with the factory-spec GP25, thanks to his outstanding performances thus far on a year-old bike.
The 25-year-old previously received an offer from Yamaha to join its new satellite team Pramac but opted to stay within Ducati’s ranks after making his debut with the Borgo Panigale brand in 2022.
This development marks a significant turnaround for di Giannantonio, whose MotoGP future looked uncertain at the end of last year after six-time champion Marc Marquez replaced him at Gresini.
He then found a second chance at VR46, delivering a series of strong performances that have elevated him to eighth in the riders’ standings, three spots ahead of teammate and three-time grand prix winner Marco Bezzecchi.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“Signing this contract means a lot to me, and I take immense pride in it,” he stated.
“I’ll be part of the Ducati family for the next two years, continuing with my VR46 Racing Team. This is both a milestone and a crucial step forward in my athletic career. With Ducati’s backing and an official bike, we can keep advancing and achieving remarkable successes together.”
“I want to express my gratitude to Ducati for their faith in me, as well as to Claudio, Gigi, Mauro, and the VR46 Racing Team for believing in me during a challenging time last year. A heartfelt thanks also goes to Vale, Uccio, Pablo, and everyone in the team and my support staff, without whom this journey would not have been possible.”
Next year, VR46 will take over from Pramac as Ducati’s exclusive factory-supported team, benefiting from increased technical assistance from the manufacturer.
Despite VR46’s desire to secure two of the latest GP25s from the factory next season, they will only receive one bike equipped with the newest gear in 2025 due to a downsizing strategy from Ducati.
The team is likely to sign current Pramac rider Franco Morbidelli as a replacement for Bezzecchi, who is heading to Aprilia next year, as disclosed by Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi at Silverstone.
Morbidelli will continue on his current GP24 bike through 2025.
Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna remarked: “We are excited to have Fabio Di Giannantonio join our Ducati riders for the next two years.
“Diggia has consistently demonstrated strong belief in our project, and his hard work and talent have allowed him to steadily improve in MotoGP.
“We are confident that with the VR46 Racing Team and an official Desmosedici GP, he will have even greater opportunities to showcase his full potential. Welcome officially to the Ducati family, Fabio!”
