Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli will go on track this weekend in Phillip Island, which will host the Australian GP for the last time in MotoGP.
MotoGP is back in action this weekend for the Australian GP, which kicks off the second part of the Overseas. Phillip Island will host for the last time the Down Under round, so the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is ready to end this chapter on one of the most iconic tracks of the calendar.
Di Giannantonio arrives to Australia in sixth place in the World Standing with 245 points, aiming to build on the positives from Indonesia. Phillip Island is one of Fabio’s favourite circuits, where he secured a second-place finish in Moto3 in 2018 and claimed his first MotoGP podium with a third place in 2023. The rider from Rome stood on the podium last year too, finishing the Sunday’s race in second place, his best results in the premier class at the Australian GP.
Following a weekend in Indonesia that confirmed the progress he has been making, Morbidelli arrives in Australia aiming to continue working and improving. At Phillip Island, Franco secured a second-place finish in 2017 and a third-place finish in 2017 (both in Moto2), while his best MotoGP result at the circuit is a fifth place, achieved in 2024. Last year, the Italian-Brazilian rider made some impressive comebacks, and he is now ready to hit the track at Phillip Island for the final time in the premier class. He currently sits sixteenth in the World Standing with 59 points.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will hit the track on Friday for free practice, while qualifying will take place on Saturday at ore 10:50 (local time, +11 UTC). The Sprint will get underway at 3:00 pm (local time, +11 UTC) on Saturday, while the Australian GP will conclude on Sunday with the main race, starting at 2:00 pm (local time, +11 UTC).
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO
“I have a special connection with the Phillip Island circuit. Overall, it’s a unique weekend on the calendar because the atmosphere is different from that of other races, and it brings the team closer together away from the track. The circuit itself is incredible and gives me a real boost. I am sorry because I’ve created some great moments and memories here. For this final race, we’ll carry over the strong pace and all the positives from last weekend. I feel confident, and we won’t give up!”
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
“Phillip Island is a beautiful circuit, and hopefully the weather will be good because, when conditions are favourable, the track is even more spectacular! I’ve always enjoyed racing here. In the past, I’ve fought for top positions, and we’ve had some positive weekends. We’re coming into the Australian GP feeling very motivated because we showed further progress in Indonesia, and our goal is to build on that here in Australia. The aim will be to put together a clean weekend, continuing to improve session after session.”
