Marco Bezzecchi
VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio has been linked with several MotoGP teams for the 2027 season, including a move to Yamaha.
The Italian secured his best finish in MotoGP in 2025, finishing P6 in the standings with four podiums. However, like factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio struggled with the GP25 and thus suffered inconsistent results.
Things could look much better for the VR46 rider in 2026, however, as all Ducati riders were ‘smiling’ after testing the GP26 at Sepang. Diggia appears more comfortable on the new Desmosedici and could be in for a strong campaign.
Predict the order of the Ducati riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
With his contract expiring in 2026, rumours have been swirling around the MotoGP rider market, with several teams scrambling to sign their riders before the start of the 2026 season. Di Giannantonio finds himself in the middle of it.
It has been suggested that Valentino Rossi will have a new rider line-up at VR46 in 2027, meaning that the Italian and his teammate, Franco Morbidelli, will be out of the team. It has prompted speculation that Diggia could be off to Yamaha.
Fabio Di Giannantonio ‘shocked’ by rumours linking him to Yamaha in 2027
After Bagnaia snubbed Yamaha to join Aprilia, the Iwata outfit have been exploring other options. Recently, Yamaha contacted Di Giannantonio, with the VR46 rider likely to be ‘surplus to requirements’ at Ducati come 2027.
Journalist Simon Patterson told Diggia about the rumours at the Buriram test, and he was quite surprised to hear the speculation about him.
“I should say, Diggia was shocked whenever I said that I’d heard a rumour linking him to a really top team tonight. Shocked,” he said via The Race MotoGP Podcast.
Colleague Matt Beer then said: “Oh, really? He sounded really happy as well, though,” to which Patterson replied: “Oh, no. He’s just been really happy all weekend.” Beer responded: “Yeah, because he’s potentially done it,” hinting that the rumour has already moved fast.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Di Giannantonio from net worth to AS Roma
Where else could Fabio Di Giannantonio go in 2027?
With Yamaha set to lose Fabio Quartararo and having missed out on signing Bagnaia, they need to act fast to sign an alternative. Di Giannantonio could be that rider, but they will be facing competition.
It was reported that Aprilia were interested in Di Giannantonio if they could not sign Bagnaia. But with reports now saying that the Ducati rider will be joining the Noale outfit, this deal seems increasingly unlikely.
Of course, Aprilia could move the VR46 rider to Trackhouse if they were to continue pursuing their interest, but with Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez on board, it is hard to imagine the team changing that pairing.
Di Giannantonio could return to Gresini, with Alex Marquez looking set to join KTM in 2027. He was with the team from 2022 to 2023, winning his first and only race in MotoGP at the 2023 Qatar GP.
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