MotoGP: Fabio Di Giannantonio joins Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati for 2024

Fabio Di Giannantonio has been confirmed as Luca Marini’s replacement at the Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati team for the 2024 MotoGP season.

Di Giannantonio, left without a ride following Marc Marquez’s arrival at Gresini Racing Ducati, has enjoyed an impressive end to his sophomore premier class campaign, yet up until a few days ago was still left uncertain of his MotoGP future.

The breakthrough came in Indonesia when Di Giannantonio finished fourth in the Grand Prix, before securing his maiden podium at Phillip Island. More progress followed, with Di Giannantonio finishing second in the Sprint in Qatar, before beating two-time World Champion Pecco Bagnaia to victory in the Grand Prix.

The Italian further boosted his hopes of a spot on the 2024 grid at Valencia, battling through from 11^th on the grid to finish sixth on Saturday, before coming home in second on Sunday after being glued to the back wheel of Bagnaia in the closing stages. Sadly, the podium was taken away due to a tyre pressure infringement, dropping him to fourth.

He’ll now take the seat vacated by Marini, who’s arrival on a two-year deal at Repsol Honda was confirmed on Monday morning (November 26). As a member of the VR46 Ducati squad, Di Giannantonio will race the Desmocedici GP23 alongside Marco Bezzecchi in 2024, having raced a GP22 this season.

“I’m happy to join such a strong Team as the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, I can learn a lot and I can’t wait to start working together on this project, we can do really good things,” Di Giannantonio said.

“In the last two seasons in MotoGP I have grown a lot, and in this team, I will certainly be able to mature further and achieve great results. I’m excited, I can’t wait to meet all my new staff and crew and start working on the track. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.”

Prior to his move to the premier class in 2022, Di Giannantonio finished as runner-up to Jorge Martin in Moto3, securing victories at Brno and in Thailand. He was promoted to Moto2 the following year, ending his maiden campaign in ninth with two podiums.

Two more podiums followed in 2020, whilst Di Giannantonio claimed his first intermediate class victory at Jerez in 2021. Riding for Gresini, Di Giannantonio finished seventh in the championship being moved into the team’s MotoGP garage.

“I am really happy to announce that Fabio will join our team,” Alessio Salucci, Team Director, said. “It was an unexpected arrival, at the last minute but I am satisfied that we have chosen him. He had a great end of the season, he didn’t lose himself when things didn’t go well and I’m sure he’ll be able to feel at home here.

“On a motorsport level, he has proven to be among the fastest young Italians, he will continue to work with Ducati and the objective is to help him be not only competitive, but also consistent in his results. It is an ambitious project, it marks a turning point in the history of our Team, but I am sure that we will all give our best to go in the same direction.”

Di Giannantonio will ride the bike for the first time in Valencia on Tuesday (November 27) at the official MotoGP test, which will also see Marini ride the RC213V for the first time, and Marc Marquez ride the Gresini Racing Ducati GP23 after leaving Honda.