FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO SAYS LUCA MARINI WILL GIVE KTM BETTER FEEDBACK IN 2027

Fabio Di Giannantonio has welcomed Tech3’s decision to sign Luca Marini for the 2027 MotoGP season, calling it “great” news for KTM as the Austrian manufacturer prepares for a new 850cc era. With multiple changes already confirmed across the grid for 2027, Tech3 made another major move on Wednesday by securing Marini on a two-year deal. Di Giannantonio believes KTM will benefit from Marini’s ability to translate what he feels on the bike into useful information for the engineers.

Marini’s path to Tech3 came after Honda chose not to extend his contract with its works team, leaving the Italian without a ride for 2027. According to the report, he remained a free agent until he approached Tech3 to discuss the possibility of riding a KTM in 2027, at which point the project became appealing. The same reporting also suggests Marini is contracted directly with Tech3 rather than through KTM.

Di Giannantonio, who will be returning to stablemate status with Marini in 2027, previously shared a garage with him during their Ducati years in 2022 and 2023. Looking ahead to working together again, Di Giannantonio said he expects Marini to offer KTM something “better than me” in terms of feedback quality. While he described himself as capable of discussing everything he feels on track with his team, he admitted Marini’s input is even stronger.

“I’m happy for him,” Di Giannantonio told Motosprint. “He deserved to stay in MotoGP and has often helped me.” He added that the move is valuable for KTM because Marini can contribute to improving the bike, pointing to both speed and sensitivity. “I think it’s a great move for KTM because he can help the manufacturer improve the bike, and he’s very fast. He has great sensitivity on the bike. I think I’m good at giving feedback, but he’s better than me, and I’ve learned a lot from talking to him.”

For KTM, the signing fits into a broader reshaping of its rider line-up. Di Giannantonio has also agreed a two-year contract with KTM starting in 2027, after KTM persuaded him to leave the satellite Ducati team VR46. The report states that KTM will pair Di Giannantonio with Alex Marquez of Gresini in 2027, following KTM’s decision to make changes after Pedro Acosta’s move to Ducati for 2027 and the planned release of Brad Binder at the end of 2026. KTM also chose not to activate options to extend Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini’s factory contracts for 2027.

Tech3’s line-up is expected to evolve again beyond Marini’s arrival. The report notes that Tech3 are expected to sign Senna Agius as Marini’s teammate, with Agius promoted from Moto2. In the background, Marini’s reputation for technical communication has been highlighted previously, including claims from earlier in the year that Ducati considered him as a MotoGP test rider if he had not secured a race seat for 2027. That interest was linked to the strength of his feedback, and to his willingness to bring the bike home for Honda to provide data. The report also mentions Ducati’s test rider situation, with Michele Pirro set to turn 40 and Nicolo Bulega expected to move to VR46 for 2027.