Fabio Di Giannantonio concluded his 2024 season after the Thai Grand Prix, following a shoulder dislocation he sustained earlier in the year during the Austrian Grand Prix.

Even though he was unable to participate in further races, he still attended the end-of-season Barcelona test to share updates on his recovery journey.

Fabio Di Giannantonio underwent successful shoulder surgery in November but acknowledged that he would not be at peak fitness for the February Sepang test. “I’m good. These days, I feel much better compared to last week,” he shared with the media.

“I had the surgery on the Saturday of the Malaysian GP. The first few days were tough—sleeping was impossible, and the pain was intense. But now I’m feeling really good. The medical staff are impressed with how quickly I’m improving day by day.

“Next week, I’ll start some light work in the pool. In two weeks, the sling will come off, and I’ll begin active rehabilitation, moving my shoulder independently.

“It’s a long process and a long winter ahead, but I feel positive. We timed the surgery well. Even though recovery is progressing faster than expected, I’ll have enough time to train and prepare for next season. The goal is to participate in the first official Sepang test, though I won’t be at 100% physically. If you saw me now, you’d notice I’ve lost significant muscle mass.

“Rebuilding those muscles, energy, and stamina will take time. But I believe we’ve done everything right to prepare for 2025.”

Di Giannantonio looks ahead to 2025 with optimism. After losing his Gresini seat at the end of the 2023 season, he received a new opportunity with VR46 Ducati. His strong performances earned him a two-year contract extension and a factory bike for 2025, filling the gap left by Marco Bezzecchi.

During his recovery, Di Giannantonio observed the testing closely, focusing on Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro, who stepped in to gather data on the GP25.

However, Di Giannantonio preferred to stay uninfluenced by Pirro’s experience with the new bike. “Let’s say Michele and I haven’t spoken much today because he’s focused on his work,” he explained.

“Ducati and the team also prefer I don’t hear too much about the bike’s feel, so I can approach it with a clear mind when I return. I know what they’re testing and the areas of focus, but I don’t want to hear about the feelings—it’s better to keep some distance for now.”

Despite these challenges, Di Giannantonio remains positive, looking forward to his fresh start and what promises to be an exciting season.