Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has officially announced that Andrea Iannone will replace Fabio Di Giannantonio at the upcoming Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia 2024 at Sepang International Circuit, Sepang.
Known for his flair on the track and his close ties with VR46’s founder Valentino Rossi, Iannone’s return to MotoGP™ marks an exciting chapter as he fills the seat on the Ducati Desmosedici GP.
After an impressive return season in WorldSBK, where Iannone claimed a victory at the Tissot Aragon Round and concluded the season eighth overall with 231 points, the Italian is more than ready for the MotoGP™ challenge. His extensive experience, including a memorable win with Ducati in 2016 and 11 podium finishes in the premier class, makes him a fitting choice to replace Di Giannantonio, who will soon undergo shoulder surgery.
Alessio Salucci, Team Director at Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, expressed excitement about Iannone’s entry. “Andrea has shown that he’s in superb condition, ending his WorldSBK season strong and maintaining close ties with Ducati and our team. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to MotoGP™ under our banner,” Salucci shared, noting that Iannone’s friendship with Rossi and the VR46 family adds a unique touch to his return. He also extended best wishes to Di Giannantonio for his surgery and recovery.
Iannone himself couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the unexpected but welcome opportunity. “Riding the world champion bike is thrilling. MotoGP is the most technological and high-performing motorcycle class, and I’m honored they thought of me. This is a challenging opportunity, especially without recent testing, but I’m ready to give my all with Ducati and the VR46 team,” Iannone said, acknowledging the support of Rossi, Salucci, and Ducati’s top executives, including Gigi Dall’Igna and Claudio Domenicali.
Iannone’s return adds a fresh narrative to the Malaysian GP, blending high performance with the bonds that have kept him close to the VR46 team. With Iannone on board, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team looks set for a thrilling outing, and fans are eager to witness the synergy between Iannone, Ducati, and VR46 on MotoGP™’s biggest stage.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
