VR46’s Crucial Choice: Analyzing the Contenders to Replace Di Giannantonio in MotoGP’s Final Rounds

Whom Should VR46 Choose? Analyzing the Prime Candidates

Our journalists delve into the crucial choice facing VR46

VR46 is tasked with finding a substitute for Fabio di Giannantonio, who is set for shoulder surgery, for the season's last two MotoGP races.

Several Ducati racers are poised for an unexpected opportunity to compete in Sepang and Valencia.

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Andrea Iannone, Nicolo Bulega, Michele Pirro, and Danilo Petrucci have been highly spoken of.

Our experts covering MotoGP have shared their opinions…

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"Iannone Takes Center Stage, Yet…"

Peter McLaren comments: "There's a strong argument to be made for each of the names being brought up. In my view, Iannone stands out as the marquee selection; his return to MotoGP after such an extended absence is sure to capture the spotlight.

In my opinion, it makes more sense for Bulega to receive it, primarily since he's surpassed his competitors on the leaderboard by securing second place in the world championship in Superbike this season as a newcomer.

"Considering his long tenure at the VR46 Academy, being part of the racing team, followed by his departure from VR46, it would be great to witness his return to VR46."

"Conversely, entering MotoGP directly without any prior testing is significant, especially for someone who has never operated a MotoGP motorcycle. However, considering there might be a possibility of participating in two rounds – with discussions suggesting one round could be with one rider at Sepang and Pirro taking over at Valencia – Bulega could treat the Sepang round as an opportunity to familiarize himself with the motorcycle."

"Bulega stands out as the sole competitor rumored to possibly secure a long-term position in MotoGP. With Ducati parting ways with three of its young talents – Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini, and Marco Bezzecchi – by the year's end, there's a noticeable gap for upcoming prospects."

Bulega is emerging as a standout talent in Superbike, and he may potentially become a choice for Ducati in MotoGP in the future.

I can't help but feel a touch of empathy for Pirro, who missed the opportunity for wild-cards because of this year's adjustments. It would be fair for him to receive some form of recognition for his extensive testing efforts this year, as he arguably has the most familiarity with the bike. Petrucci and Bautista are the other riders with up-to-date MotoGP experience.

"Overall, my choice would be Bulega, provided he's willing to take it on, of course!"

Lewis Duncan reports: Danilo Petrucci has made a significant impact in the World Superbike Championship this year, riding a non-factory Ducati with remarkable consistency, a trend he began in his debut series year in 2023. His impressive performance, which included a hat-trick of wins at Cremona, propelled him to clinch the title for independent riders and established him as a regular contender for podium finishes.

Having Petrucci step in for several races with VR46 would likely be embraced by the racing community, presenting a smoother transition than involving Andrea Iannone, who brings with him a more controversial history despite his singular race victory.

Two-time Grand Prix champion Petrucci, who has also recently competed on the GP23 in MotoGP as a substitute for Enea Bastianini during the French GP, performed commendably, securing an 11th-place finish without tarnishing his reputation.

'He completely outperformed Bautista!'

Jordan Moreland reports: Coming into the 2024 WorldSBK season as a newcomer, Nicolo Bulega was anticipated to have a humble start with the factory Ducati team, where he teamed up with the current World Champion Alvaro Bautista, who aimed to secure his third consecutive championship title.

Bulega didn't just surpass Bautista throughout the season; he dominated him completely. He managed to qualify ahead of Bautista in every single round, and by the season's end, he had amassed a lead of 127 points over his teammate.

He established himself as the leading rider for Ducati in the Superbike championship. Indeed, Toprak Razgatlioglu's forced withdrawal from several races following his horrifying accident in France did open the door for Bulega to push the championship battle to the final round. However, it was his intense battles with the exceptional Razgatlioglu that truly captivated audiences, especially their showdown in the Superpole race at Estoril, where he triumphed by a mere 0.004 seconds at the finish line.

Throughout the season, Bulega's outstanding displays have proven that he has evolved into an exceptional talent. This is the kind of progress that was anticipated from him years back when he was part of the VR46 team in the Grand Prix. It would indeed be a compelling narrative if his impressive debut season in WorldSBK led to him being honored with a return to the VR46 team.

"Inquire with Bulega, and upon his refusal…"

Alex Whitworth notes: The choice for VR46 regarding the replacement for Di Giannantonio in the Malaysia and Valencia races seems quite clear-cut. Given they have the runner-up motorcycle in competition and the team is under Valentino Rossi's ownership, they have the luxury of selecting virtually any rider they desire.

Should they decide to choose Nicolo Bulega.

It's logical that the Italian is considered, given that he emerged as the top Ducati competitor in this year's WorldSBK rankings during his debut season, securing victories in six out of the 36 races that took place.

He boasts considerable expertise with the VR46 squad, participating in Moto3 competitions from 2016 to 2018, and moving up to Moto2 in 2019.

During the last round of the World Superbike at Jerez last weekend, he expressed uncertainty about whether jumping into MotoGP without any prior testing would be the right move for him.

"Attending a MotoGP race without prior testing may not be the best decision," Bulega remarked to Eurosport following his Race 1 victory in Jerez, quickly following up with, "If there's an opportunity to test, why not seize it?"

Bulega, therefore, might require a bit of persuasion.

Conversely, Andrea Iannone is highly passionate about competing in MotoGP and has been actively seeking a way to return to the GP paddock since the start of the year.

Failing to secure a permanent move to MotoGP for the 2025 season, the temporary position with VR46 could fulfill Iannone's craving for Grand Prix racing.

However, is VR46 willing to gamble on selecting Iannone, only for him to approach it as a tryout for a 2026 position? This move might lead to impressive lap records, but also potentially a hefty bill for crashes.

Compared to Iannone, Danilo Petrucci appears to be a reliable choice. The Italian rider doesn't appear to be seeking a permanent return to MotoGP, having become accustomed to temporary roles within the series. He stepped in for Joan Mir towards the end of 2022 riding for Suzuki, and also filled in for Enea Bastianini at Le Mans in 2023.

However, although Petrucci has secured three victories in WorldSBK races this year, he faced significant injuries in April and has barely had a break since making his comeback to the racetrack in June. Given this, the appeal of prolonging his racing season by another month only to potentially find himself aggressively overtaken by Augusto Fernandez for the 17th spot in a Sprint race now appears questionable.

It appears that the go-to option might be the trustworthy Michele Pirro. As Ducati's test rider, he hasn't competed in any MotoGP races throughout the year due to new regulations that prevent Ducati from making wildcard appearances. However, he has continued to test the Desmosedici and recently reclaimed the Italian CIV Superbike championship, a title he dramatically and contentiously lost at Imola in 2023.

With Pirro on board, VR46 can anticipate consistent performance; however, it appears improbable that this will translate into particularly remarkable outcomes in 2024.

Therefore, deciding for VR46 isn't straightforward. If it were up to me, I would approach Bulega first, and upon his refusal, I would reach out to Pirro.

"Iannone's Unresolved Endeavors"

Derry Munikartono suggests that Andrea Iannone would be the ideal choice to fill the vacant VR46 seat. He believes Iannone has unresolved matters in MotoGP, especially considering his abrupt departure from the 2020 season.

Following a four-year hiatus, Iannone made a comeback to the competitive scene in World Superbike. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he ascended to the podium in his debut WorldSBK race and then clinched his inaugural victory in Race 1 at Aragon.

The opportunity for a return to MotoGP emerged at VR46, potentially as a fill-in for the last two events. Regardless, it would be an extraordinary return narrative, and there's a chance that The Maniac could leave a mark during his short appearance.

Certainly, since Iannone's departure, MotoGP has undergone significant changes. However, given his remarkable ability to adjust, demonstrated in this year's WorldSBK, he might have the opportunity to conclude his MotoGP career on his own terms.

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