Fabio Di Giannantonio raises concerns at Ducati: “I think something has been lost by changing the bike’s direction.”
Back in 2021, Ducati started the season with high expectations. Although Quartararo eventually won the title, there was already a strong sense in Borgo Panigale that victories were coming.
And perhaps not even they expected the level of success that followed: from 2022 to 2025, every MotoGP world champion came from Ducati, setting record after record.
However, that streak could come to an end in 2026. Despite Marc Marquez’s latest pole position, it appears that Aprilia’s development has taken a step forward, while Ducati may have plateaued around its 2024 level.
Di Giannantonio’s warning: “Ducati has lost something”
This concern is reinforced by Fabio Di Giannantonio’s recent comments. Despite what is arguably the best start of his career, the Italian rider pointed directly at the development of the GP26.
Here’s what he said: “Over the past years, it seems like the development direction has shifted towards Marquez. Pecco and I are struggling to find confidence especially with the front end. Speaking for myself, I’m going in the opposite direction compared to Marc because with the current setup I struggle to be competitive. I think Ducati has lost something by changing the bike’s approach.
Everything is linked to the front. The 2026 bike is improved — I can push more on a single lap. But we are less conservative in managing the rear tyre. I’m trying to work with Ducati to bring things back in our direction. Are all Ducati riders aligned on development? Not really.”
Photo: Ducati Corse
