Fabio Di Giannantonio has secured a two-year contract extension with the VR46 Racing Team.
Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team has confirmed Fabio Di Giannantonio’s contract extension for an additional two years, guaranteeing his stay with the team through the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.
The Italian rider, affectionately known as “Diggia,” has quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents in MotoGP. Born on July 10, 1998, in Rome, Italy, Di Giannantonio began his racing career in the lower classes, making his way up through the ranks with determination and skill.
Di Giannantonio made his MotoGP debut in 2022 with the then struggling Gresini Racing team, where he finished with only 24 points.
However, the 25-year old’s trajectory took a remarkable turn in 2023 which saw him transform to a formidable competitor as his performance dramatically improved, culminating in his first podium finish and a historic victory at the Qatar Grand Prix and a podium at Philip Island.
However, di Giannantonio’s future in MotoGP was under serious doubts at the end of the 2023 season after six-time champion Marc Marquez took his seat at Gresini leaving him a free agent. Despite receiving an offer from Yamaha to race with its new satellite team Pramac, the 25-year-old decided to stay with Ducati.
Diggia was ultimately signed by VR46 Racing and went on to post a string of impressive performances that saw him rise to eighth in the riders’ championship, three places ahead of his teammate and three-time winner Marco Bezzecchi.
Now, the team has confirmed a contract extension for di Giannantonio and based on his remarkable results so far with a year-old bike, he will be one of only three riders on the 2025 grid to race on a factory-spec Ducati Desmosedici GP25.
“Being able to sign this contract was significant for me, and I am proud of it,” he said. “I will be part of the Ducati family for two years and continue with my VR46 Racing Team.
“This represents a milestone and a significant starting point for my sporting growth. With Ducati’s support and having an official bike, we can continue to grow and achieve great things together.
“I want to thank Ducati for its trust, Claudio, Gigi, Mauro, and the VR46 Racing Team that believed in me last year during a difficult moment.
“So, a big thank you also to Vale, Uccio, Pablo, all the team members, and my staff because this whole journey would never have been possible without them.”
Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna added: “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.
“We are confident that together with the VR46 Racing Team and having an official Desmosedici GP, he will have even more opportunities to bring out his full potential.
“Welcome officially to the Ducati family, Fabio!”
The announcement comes on the heels of VR46’s new found partnership with Ducati to become its only factory-supported team, replacing Pramac. As a result, the manufacturer will be offering more technical support to the satellite squad.
However, as part of Ducati’s downsizing efforts, Rossi’s team will only receive one bike with the newest equipment in 2025, despite its desire to receive two GP25s from the manufacturer next year.
The signing of Di Giannantonio leaves him without a teammate for 2025 after Bezzecchi confirmed his switch to Aprilia. However, Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi disclosed at the British Grand Prix that the team is interested in recruiting current Pramac rider Franco Morbidelli to take Bezzecchi’s spot next year.
