In-demand Ducati MotoGP star responds to 2027 rumours: ‘It’s like 2023…’

Leading Ducati MotoGP rider Fabio Di Giannantonio has responded to rumours linking him to several big 2027 moves, while calling for his current VR46 team to be respected.

The Italian remains Ducati’s top rider in the championship after four rounds, having taken two podiums to sit third in the standings.

His blistering start to the 2026 campaign has put Fabio Di Giannantonio in high demand, with reports linking him to a factory KTM move, as well as Trackhouse Aprilia.

KTM had initially been set to pair Alex Marquez with Maverick Vinales, but the latter’s slow start to the year - as well as injury troubles - had now thrust Di Giannantonio into the picture.

Asked about these rumours after finishing third at the Spanish Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio was delighted by the interest, but joked he doesn’t have his future sewn up “like 2023”.

“Honestly speaking, I want to be always honest on these things because I don’t want to be gaming, or something,” he began.

“I said also on Friday, some of you asked me something similar.

“I’m grateful for the moment I’m living. We are doing a really good job on track, and it reflects for the future, for sure, with a lot of teams who want me on their side.

“And this is amazing. As a human before a rider, it’s super. It means you are doing a good job.

“Apart from that, we still have everything open, honestly. I know with my staff our priorities.

“We say to the directly interested people.

“So, we know our priorities, but everything is fully open because I don’t have anything at the moment. At the moment, it’s like 2023, honestly speaking, at this exact moment.

“I’m pleased about the interest around, but there’s nothing I can say.”

‘Rider speculation not great’

Di Giannantonio went on to add that he felt the constant rumours about 2027 were “not that great”, suggesting it was direspectful to a rider’s current team with so much of the season still to go.

“If I can say one thing: Ok, we need this for the fans, we need news, but I think it’s not that great,” he said.

“We are in the fourth race of the year, and I’m wearing these colours.

“And until the end of the season, I will wear these colours. So, while I’m with these colours, this is the best team ever, this is the best bike ever.

“And it should be like this for all of us. I think also from home, from the people, we should focus more on what we are doing on track.

“I think every one of us is doing great things and this should be the important points where we should talk more.

“Imagine if I say I go to another place now and I have to go the garage to party with my team.

“It’s not that nice. Talking about the human side, let’s just keep talking about the racing, and for sure, everything will arrive soon. Let’s put the focus on that we are doing a great sport - just this.”