MotoGP Portugal J1, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati/12): “I’m not happy”

Fabio Di Giannantonio, the sensation of the end of 2023, did not respond during the first day in Portugal. The Italian was nevertheless ahead of his teammate in Qatar, then, obviously, this 12th place during Practice – synonymous with Q1 – is not necessarily a good one to take. A little disillusionment, added to a lack of grip at the rear. It's a problem he hasn't encountered in a long time, and solutions seem difficult to find. Clearly, we can't say that it's starting off in the best possible way.

The Ducati VR46 rider didn't have the answer. Like the others, he discovered, yesterday morning, a completely slippery track, at the limit of passable. “It was like flat track! Because of the sand that had arrived on the track during the night, we were all surprised by the lack of grip” he confided at the end of the first day. But once the asphalt was clean, he was still not in the game. “It was average. Throughout the day I struggled with corner entry. The rear tire wasn't following me, it was slipping away. Usually the entry phase is my strong point, which is why I felt sacrificed, in a sense » he added.

 

 

An unusual problem for the winner of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. « I'm not happy, because we didn't understand. For a year and a half I had problems with excessive grip. But the guys on the team are on it, we'll find a solution. The evolution of the track will play a role, but everyone will benefit from better conditions. I'm not very worried because it's the first time I'm in difficulty this season » he concluded.

 

 

Today is an important day for him, as for the others. In Q1, he will have to compete for the two best positions with serious clients, including his colleague Alex Marquez. Can he break free from his competitors to seek a place in Q2? Tell us in the comments!

MotoGP Practice result at the 2024 Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport