Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered an impressive performance at the Sepang Test, finishing among the top three riders in the highly competitive event. Riding the new Ducati GP26 for the very first time, Di Giannantonio kept pace with established champions like Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Álex Márquez during the intense three-day pre-season test. His showing highlighted the potential for both himself and Ducati as the new season approaches.
The latest 2026 Ducati model maintained its competitiveness by matching the pace of the 2025 bike, with all four Ducati riders securing spots in the top five overall. After dealing with injury setbacks early in last year’s testing, Di Giannantonio was able to balance aggressive time trials with various bike setup evaluations, maximizing his valuable time on track.
Positive Improvements Highlighted by Rider Feedback
In his post-test briefing, Di Giannantonio praised the Ducati team’s efforts and the bike’s enhancements.
The team has done an incredible job,
he said.
We arrived with a bike that’s an improvement over the 2025 model. The front end responded better right from the start and continued to progress. Personally, I aimed to push hard from the beginning to quickly establish my rhythm, and I’m happy because the overall package is very strong with just a few adjustments needed.
This reflected his belief that the GP26 already offers a solid foundation for further development.
He noted that while the overall progress might seem subtle, there were meaningful advancements, especially compared to previous difficulties.
Last season, I struggled with front-end feel, but I encountered no such issues here. We’ll see if we can confirm this on other circuits,
Di Giannantonio added, showing his confidence in improved handling.
Testing Challenges and Next Steps Ahead of Thailand
Throughout the test, Di Giannantonio maintained steady lap times and experimented with various aerodynamic and chassis options to refine performance. Commenting on the test’s disruption by weather conditions, he explained,
I didn’t record any slow laps. I tried numerous setups in terms of aerodynamics and chassis, so we head to Thailand with a solid package. It’s unfortunate that rain halted some of our plans yesterday, but I’d say we’re about 90% complete and will finalize everything in Buriram.
His focus is now on the upcoming Thailand test on February 21 and 22, where he expects to solidify these gains.
Balanced Confidence as the Season Approaches
Despite the encouraging results, Di Giannantonio is staying grounded and realistic about what lies ahead. Reflecting on last season’s challenges, including injuries and team changes, he shared,
I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time to achieve great things. Last year, I had similar potential, but setbacks like injuries and a new team affected my confidence. This time, we’re off to a good start, but it’s just the first test. I prefer to stay grounded. I was very fast, but I want to remain calm, focused, and continue working well in Thailand,
demonstrating a mature approach to his progression.
As MotoGP’s pre-season testing moves toward its next phase, Di Giannantonio’s combination of speed, consistency, and careful optimism has generated excitement among fans and experts alike. His ride on the Ducati GP26 suggests the team is on a promising trajectory, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season ahead.
