The Gresini rider overtook championship chief Francesco Bagnaia within the latter levels of Sunday’s 22-lap Qatar GP to score a maiden premier class victory.
It comes as Di Giannantonio presently doesn’t have a spot on the 2024 grid, having misplaced his journey to Marc Marquez.
Whereas a number of weeks in the past within the body for a Honda seat, this now appears likely to be going to Luca Marini, whereas VR46 commented earlier within the Qatar weekend that Di Giannantonio wasn’t an choice.
As he chased Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio was given a ‘mapping 8’ message on his dashboard on lap 18.
Beforehand, this was a coded staff order message Ducati issued to Jorge Lorenzo again in 2017 within the final two rounds of that season when team-mate Andrea Dovizioso was combating for the championship.
However Di Giannantonio says his ‘mapping 8’ name was merely to inform him he didn’t have lengthy left within the race to assault Bagnaia.
“Truthfully, I didn’t anticipate to have Pecco in entrance in that second of the race as a result of Pecco was struggling all of the weekend,” Di Giannantonio informed motogp.com’s After the Flag.
“So, I believed it was another person in entrance, however then it was Pecco. So, for certain I needed to be a bit cautious and I used to be additionally sorry as a result of if I can steal some factors from him it’s a pity for his championship.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Fabio Di Giannantonio, Gresini Racing
“However then we simply deliberate to make the go 4, 5 laps from the tip. So, that ‘mapping 8’ message was simply ‘hey, now could be the second’.
“It was an excellent sign as a result of I couldn’t see my pitboard any lap, as a result of there have been so many and I couldn’t see my one.
“So, I didn’t know what number of laps there have been to the tip. Lastly I noticed ‘mapping 8’ and I began to search out my pitboard and I noticed there have been 4 laps to go, so I used to be like ‘oh man, I have to do it now’. So, I attempted to make it as clear as attainable and we made it.”
How this victory will have an effect on his prospects of getting a MotoGP seat subsequent 12 months stays to be seen, however Di Giannantonio says he’s “speechless” that his place within the class is even in query.
“I’m speechless about this argument, as a result of ultimately I feel I’m doing the whole lot on time,” he added.
“It’s simply my second 12 months in MotoGP and for those who look additionally at different riders, we’re in the very best championship on this planet, within the highest degree of motorcycle championship on this planet.
“So, for certain it take time for issues to work out. Lastly we made it, however I feel we’re utterly on time. So, let’s say it’s a bitter state of affairs and I hope we will flip issues round.”