Fabio di Giannantonio seen mocking Francesco Bagnaia off-camera after Italian Grand Prix

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Fabio di Giannantonio scored his second podium of the season at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. The VR46 star is the only Ducati satellite rider on a GP25 this season.

Di Giannantonio passed factory ace Francesco Bagnaia in the closing stages of the race at Mugello to grab third. Bagnaia had been scrapping for top spot with the Marquez brothers, but he fell away rather dramatically.

‘Diggia’ has struggled with Ducati’s newest bike at times too. He’s still eight points behind teammate Franco Morbidelli, who’s on the GP24 for a second consecutive season.

There has been significant debate in the world of MotoGP as to whether the Bologna outfit have improved their bike. Alex Marquez has unexpectedly been the nearest challenger to his imperious brother Marc on year-old machinery.

Fabio di Giannantonio taunted Francesco Bagnaia over Ducati GP25 complaints

Just before the post-race press conference, the top three watched the Grand Prix of Italy highlights. According to Men on Wheels, Di Giannantonio made a sarcastic remark as he watched Alex Marquez pass Bagnaia on the start/finish straight.

“The GP24 is faster on the straight too,” he said, before the cameras were switched on.

Bagnaia is considering going back to the GP24 next year, a reflection of his doubts over the new motorcycle. He’s repeatedly complained that the ’25 doesn’t offer him the same ‘feeling’.

Reports suggest Davide Tardozzi and Ducati have become frustrated with Bagnaia’s complaints.

“No, no, no,” the older Marquez brother replied. It [the straight-line speed] is the same.”

“Yes, you can’t say that, though,” Di Giannantonio then said. “Davide told me.”

Ducati won all but one race in a historic 2024 season, and have been beaten twice in the first nine Grands Prix this year. They remain dominant, but rivals have predictably chipped away at the gap.

Davide Tardozzi’s passionate defence of Francesco Bagnaia after Mugello

The Marquez duo have been helping each other this season, not least at the Italian GP. They discussed their tyre strategy with one another before the race, something that a rider wouldn’t ordinarily do with a competitor.

Alex has been accused of making life too easy for Marc in wheel-to-wheel combat. Bagnaia agrees that he’s less aggressive, but likened it to his own approach against his fellow VR46 academy graduates.

Still, there’s no excuse for Bagnaia to be beaten by Di Giannantonio as well. This was only the fourth podium of the VR46 rider’s career – he’s a solid competitor, but shouldn’t be faster than a multiple world champion.

Davide Tardozzi says Bagnaia retains the ‘unconditional support’ of Ducati in an increasingly painful season. The team are trying to control the pressure level as much as possible, but they still can’t explain his slump.