P1racenews AI automatic summary:
How a struggling MotoGP sophomore saved his career but highlighted a wider issue
Gresini Ducati rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio had a challenging first season in MotoGP, scoring points only on six occasions. He finished the season with a total of 24 points, a significant 87 points behind the next Ducati rider in the standings. Despite this, Gresini chose to retain him for a second year, showing faith in his potential.
Di Giannantonio’s breakthrough came in the latter half of the season, with impressive performances in Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. He secured his first MotoGP top six finish with a career-best fourth place in Indonesia, followed by a podium finish in Australia. These results led to speculation that he could potentially join the vacant factory Honda team.
However, it was in Qatar where Di Giannantonio truly made a name for himself. He emerged as MotoGP’s newest winner, defeating eventual world champion Francesco Bagnaia in a thrilling race. This victory showcased his talent and potential as a top rider in the series.
In the final seven rounds of the season, Di Giannantonio scored an impressive 108 points, placing him among the top performers. Only Bagnaia scored more points during this period, further highlighting the progress Di Giannantonio made towards the end of the season.
