P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fabio Di Giannantonio is emerging as something of a dark horse in MotoGP’s 2024 pre-season so far. But given he’s something of an outsider among VR46’s ranks, it’s all the more important that the team doesn’t squander his potential
Halfway through the 2024 MotoGP pre-season, a surprise dark horse has emerged in the form of new VR46 Ducati signing Fabio Di Giannantonio. There’s a real chance that without careful consideration by Valentino Rossi’s development structure, they could squander this golden opportunity presented by the talented rider who showed impressive consistency during the Sepang test. Despite not being the fastest, his performance in the 10-lap sprint race simulation caught the eye, indicating a strong start to the season may be on the cards. Di Giannantonio’s seamless transition to the 2023 Ducati and his avoidance of development duties may give him an advantage over his factory-spec counterparts. With the season starting at Lusail, where he was a previous race winner, expectations are high for a successful start to the campaign for Di Giannantonio. Although he remains somewhat of an outsider in the VR46 Academy project, there are many positives to take from his performance at the test, suggesting he could outshine his more established teammate Bezzecchi. Rossi and his team should act swiftly to integrate Di Giannantonio more effectively into the Academy to ensure his full potential is realized.
