Marco Bezzecchi
Honda are now emerging as a strong contender to land Fabio Di Giannantonio for the 2027 season if Ducati reject the VR46 rider’s demands to sign a new factory contract.
Di Giannantonio has raced for VR46 since the 2024 season and has enjoyed a factory Ducati contract since the 2025 campaign. Yet the 27-year-old is currently set to be a free agent this winter, and his options for 2027 are growing following his strong start to the 2026 campaign.
With 71 points to his name for third place in the 2026 riders’ standings after four rounds, Di Giannantonio is currently the highest-ranked Ducati racer in the championship. Aprilia pilot Marco Bezzecchi leads his teammate Jorge Martin and Di Giannantonio by 11 and 30 points.
Di Giannantonio also boasts the most Grand Prix podiums by a Ducati rider this season, with P3 finishes in Brazil and Spain. Only after Alex Marquez won in Spain had another Ducati ace earned a rostrum, too, and the win only moved the Gresini rider to seventh in the standings.
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Honda gain ground in their bid to rival KTM and Trackhouse for Fabio Di Giannantonio
Di Giannantonio’s strong form has not gone unnoticed among the paddock, either, with the Italian generating interest from rival teams. According to Sky Sports Italy, three rival squads have now identified Di Giannantonio as a target, in case he leaves VR46 and the Ducati fold.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Di Giannantonio from net worth to AS Roma
KTM are interested in signing Di Giannantonio to join Alex Marquez in a new-look line-up in 2027, with it widely said that the Gresini rider has already agreed to join the Austrian brand. But Trackhouse are interested in Di Giannantonio, too, after Ai Ogura agreed to join Yamaha.
Other options could be on the table, as well, as it is thought that ‘Japanese sirens’ might be calling Di Giannantonio’s name, with Honda ‘above all’ interested in his signature. Honda’s plans for 2027 are still taking shape, with HRC also keen to make Tech3 their satellite team.
Di Giannantonio and his agent, Diego Tavano, are still in talks with Ducati about a potential new contract that would see him stay at VR46 in 2027. But the Roman wants Ducati to offer him factory status again next year, along with an improved wage, for him to agree to re-sign.
It has previously been suggested that Yamaha held an interest in signing Di Giannantonio for their factory line-up for 2027, before the Iwata outfit secured Ogura’s signature. Reports this March even said Di Giannantonio entered fairly advanced talks with Yamaha about a switch.
Di Giannantonio’s strong start to the 2026 season was thought to have caught Yamaha’s eye in their efforts to lock in their 2027 line-up early. Martin of Aprilia is widely believed to have agreed to join Yamaha next season, with Fabio Quartararo understood to be joining Honda.
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