News - Aprilia Considers Di Giannantonio as a Backup for a Bid for Bagnaia

Aprilia is intensifying its pursuit of Francesco Bagnaia, as he risks losing his Ducati seat to the rising star Pedro Acosta. While Ducati is experimenting with its lineup, Aprilia, under the leadership of Rivola, aims to build an all-Italian team. However, the competition increases as Yamaha makes a strong offer to sign Bagnaia, seeking to derail Aprilia's plans. As Aprilia navigates its recruitment challenges, the team has also identified another potential recruit: Fabio Di Giannantonio, whose current position with VR46 remains uncertain after a challenging season. Despite Bagnaia showing stronger performance metrics compared to GP25 peer Di Giannantonio, the latter managed to outperform teammates Franco Morbidelli and rookie Fermin Aldeguer, though his sixth-place finish was below expectations. Interestingly, Di Giannantonio isn't only on Aprilia's radar. His singular Grand Prix win at the 2023 Qatar GP bolsters his credentials, further supported by a consistent presence on the podium. Simultaneously, Gresini Racing is considering re-signing him, contingent on Alex Marquez's possible move to KTM. With a promising spot at Aprilia’s factory team potentially available, resisting the offer might be tough for Di Giannantonio. The repercussions in the MotoGP circuit extend to VR46, where rumors suggest a dual revamp of team seats. Associated with acquisition plans for World Superbikes talent and Ducati testing veteran Nicolo Bulega, VR46 appears set for a bold reshuffle. Amid this transformation, Di Giannantonio's place in MotoGP seems secure, but Franco Morbidelli's future could lead him to a different racing scene if he follows Bulega's likely transition.