DI GIANNANTONIO SAYS HE’LL PUT VR46 FIRST IN MOTOGP TITLE FIGHT

Fabio Di Giannantonio heads to the Malaysian Grand Prix focused on his own championship campaign, rather than being asked to support Ducati title leader Marc Marquez. The VR46 rider finished third in the Phillip Island sprint, but Sunday’s race was cancelled. He said he was disappointed not to race and to leave the circuit without a final farewell to the fans, while acknowledging that the decision rested with organisers after they assessed safety conditions. Although he felt the track was rideable when riders went out for the parade, he recognised that wet conditions at Phillip Island always carry risks.

Sepang offers a fresh challenge despite the extensive testing teams have completed there. Michelin has brought a different tyre specification from the one used during February’s test, and changeable weather could further limit the value of those earlier preparations. Di Giannantonio hopes the new tyres will not undo the progress made with his Ducati: “Our feeling on the bike was really good.” He is aiming to show strong pace on Sunday after struggling to do so at the previous two rounds.

Asked whether Ducati would again be the benchmark at Sepang, after winning both the sprint and Grand Prix there in 2025, Di Giannantonio rejected the idea that circuits belong to particular manufacturers. “We’ve understood by now that there are no Ducati or Aprilia tracks,” he said, arguing that results depend on which rider, team and bike perform best on the day.

Marquez leads Jorge Martin by 10 points as the 2026 season approaches its conclusion. Di Giannantonio, currently sixth in the standings, was asked whether Ducati management might call on him to help Marquez. He made clear that his priority is his own team and results: “In the end, I wear the yellow colours. So I act in my own interest and in the interest of my team.” His immediate target is fourth overall, though he has not ruled out a push for third. That would be difficult, he said, with Marco Bezzecchi currently third and 63 points ahead. “Our main focus is to give everything on track and achieve the best possible result by the end of the year.”

Di Giannantonio also addressed the planned Qatar Grand Prix amid continuing uncertainty in the Middle East. He said riders and MotoGP are working together to secure the strongest possible safety measures, guarantees and insurance for everyone in the paddock. “We are not in conflict,” he said. “It is a collaboration to improve the conditions for everyone so that we can race there.”