Fabio Di Giannantonio is in his second season with VR46 in 2025 and his first on factory Ducati machinery.
The Italian has been with the manufacturer since he joined the premier class in 2022. He started his career with satellite team Gresini – whom he also raced with in Moto2 and Moto3.
Di Giannantonio spent two seasons with the team, collecting two podiums in 2023. One of those was his first and only win to date in MotoGP, claiming victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.
With a best finish of 12th that season, the 26-year-old’s results perhaps left something to be desired. Nevertheless, come 2024, Valentino Rossi afforded him an opportunity with his VR46 team for 2024.
The seven-time MotoGP champion has brought through some top talent to the premier class through his VR46 academy, including Francesco Bagnaia. When Diggia joined the team, they had just finished third in the standings with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi scoring regular podiums.
Fabio Di Giannantonio says VR46 ‘changed my life’ by giving him an opportunity
The former was let go for his fellow compatriot in 2024, heading to Honda. Di Giannantonio convinced Pablo Nieto to sign him to VR46 in a ‘nice’ meeting in which he sold his skills and potential.
Speaking with journalist Giovanni Zamagni via his YouTube channel, the 26-year-old recalled the meeting that got him the seat that ‘changed my life.’ He had been scoring regular points with Gresini and was confident he could make another step with VR46.
“On my side I just, I mean, I was myself. I was there, I said: ‘Look guys, how am I doing this year? I want to keep learning,” he said.
“I think with you I can make a crazy growth. I‘m staying on the same bike, you are a Madonna team.’
“Whatever they had done with Maro [Marini] and Bez, they had done so many podiums, they had done so many good races. I said: ‘I think I can do well, give me an opportunity because I want to show you that I can do well.’
“We had a nice chat and they were great and in fact, I will always be grateful because in the end, they changed my life.”
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Fabio Di Giannantonio has been incredibly unlucky with injury at VR46
Since moving from Gresini, Diggia has had mixed fortune at VR46. In 2024, off the races he completed, he finished only the top 10 just once, retiring twice.
The Italian missed the final two races to undergo surgery on his left shoulder following an accident in Austria. After displaying great consistency in 2024, Ducati handed Di Giannantonio the third factory machine for 2025, which had been taken by champion Jorge Martin.
On the GP25, the 26-year-old had a great opportunity to challenge at the front. However, 2025 got off to a nightmare start as Di Giannantonio broke his collarbone after attempting a wheelie in pre-season testing in Malaysia.
Diggia was taken out of testing so he could heal properly before the season. Thus far, he has grabbed one podium in 2025 at the Americas Grand Prix and sits fifth in the standings.
Roberto Locatelli backed Di Giannantonio as a title contender despite his difficulties with injury. Ultimately, he will have the final evolution of the Desmosedici GP25 alongside Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, giving him a key advantage over the other Ducati riders.
