Di Giannantonio’s MotoGP 2024 aspirations not driven by the need to impress Marquez

Di Giannantonio Joins VR46 Racing Team for 2024 MotoGP Season

The upcoming 2024 MotoGP season is set to be an intriguing one as Fabio Di Giannantonio, the Italian rider who was left without a ride after Marc Marquez’s surprising move to Gresini Ducati, has found a new home with the VR46 Racing Team.

Following a lackluster campaign in 2023 on the RC213V, Marquez decided to depart from Honda earlier than expected. This unexpected move forced Di Giannantonio out of his seat at Gresini and left him without a ride for the upcoming season.

However, just when all hope seemed lost, VR46 offered him a contract to replace Luca Marini at the end of the season. The timing couldn’t have been better for Di Giannantonio, who had just secured his maiden victory in Qatar while riding for Gresini.

Despite facing up against Marquez on equal machinery this year, Di Giannantonio insists that he doesn’t feel any extra motivation. When asked if he felt he had something to prove after losing his Gresini ride to Marquez, he responded by saying: “My motivation is looking at my stats and seeing that I don’t have a star [championship] next to my name.”

“So, that’s my biggest motivation: earning that star. My goal is to become the best ever and this ambition in itself serves as the ultimate motivation. There is no one else like Marc or anyone else who can surpass such an aspiration,” added Di Giannantonio confidently.

A New Chapter with VR46 Racing Team

Moving under the umbrella of VR46 Racing Team may seem unconventional since Di Giananntonio isn’t a product of the VR46 Academy. However, he is excited about this new chapter and believes it presents a fantastic opportunity for growth in 2024.

“It’s definitely different,” Di Giannantonio shared when asked about joining VR46. “But I was well aware that this team is exceptional, as evidenced by their remarkable success over the past decade.”

He continued, saying: “When I first joined, there weren’t any particular surprises since I knew it was an extraordinary team. Our initial interactions during our time at Valencia were great; the staff made me feel incredibly welcome.”

Although his winter preparations remained relatively normal, Di Giannantonio anticipates some changes throughout the year as he gets to train more frequently with the Ranch and interact closely with the VR guys.

A Valuable Mentorship from Valentino Rossi

The most significant advantage of being part of VR46 Racing Team for Di Giannantonio is having Valentino Rossi as his boss. The Italian legend will be overseeing his progress and providing valuable advice along the way.

“Having Valentino as my mentor will undoubtedly be invaluable,” expressed Di Giananntonio eagerly. “To have ‘the Greatest of All Time’ watching over us and offering guidance is an incredible asset. This mentorship will make all the difference for me personally.”

As we look ahead to what promises to be an eventful MotoGP season in 2024, all eyes will be on Fabio Di Giannantonio as he embarks on a new journey with VR46 Racing Team. Will he finally claim that coveted star alongside his name? Only time will tell.