VR46 Ducati's Fabio Di Giannantonio says he "lives good" as what he calls the championship's "underwolf" in 2026. The Italian sits fourth in the standings after a tough Aragon weekend, now 48 points behind leader Jorge Martin.
Despite the setback, Di Giannantonio has been Ducati's leading rider for much of the season, even scoring a victory at the Catalan Grand Prix while carrying a hand injury from a scary incident with Alex Marquez.
In an exclusive interview with Crash.net at Silverstone, Fabio Di Giannantonio insists he has the talent to be a MotoGP champion. However, he acknowledges that winning a title is what separates top riders from the rest.
The Underwolf Philosophy: More Than Just an Underdog
Di Giannantonio explains the difference between being an "underwolf" and an "underdog." He feels comfortable in a role that often wins public sympathy when he goes fast and beats more fancied rivals.
"I live good being the underwolf, not the underdog," he said. "Sometimes it puts me in a position where people enjoy seeing the underdog go fast and maybe beat someone else."
While public opinion is nice, he stresses it doesn't change his approach. "I just try to do my maximum," he added.
Career Journey: From Grid Peril to Factory Deal
His consistency has earned him a factory KTM ride for next season - a remarkable turnaround given he nearly lost his grid spot three years ago.
His debut with Gresini in 2022 was difficult, and his form only clicked late in 2023 with a maiden win in Qatar. By then, his seat had already been taken by Marc Marquez.
VR46 threw him a lifeline after Luca Marini moved to Honda, and his impressive 2024 form netted the team official factory support from Ducati.
Di Giannantonio believes the paddock needs to be more patient in developing young riders. He highlights the intense competition in MotoGP today, where the level is incredibly high and time gaps are razor-thin.
"If you arrive 30 seconds behind the leader, you could be last. This is the highest level MotoGP has ever seen," he concluded.
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