Di Giannantonio’s Unbearable Heat Dilemma
Fabio di Giannantonio faced an unprecedented challenge during the Thailand Grand Prix sprint race when he had to voluntarily retire due to his Ducati bike overheating to the point of causing burns on his body. The VR46 rider, who was on the verge of securing a top 10 finish, suddenly veered wide at Turn 5 with just a few laps remaining, causing a noticeable drop in his position. Despite his determination to continue, the extreme heat became too much to bear, and he pulled into the pits on lap 11 of 13, joining Jack Miller as one of the only two riders to not finish the opening contest of the 2025 MotoGP season.
The Intensity of the Overheating
The overheating issue was particularly alarming for di Giannantonio, as he described the sensation as "completely burning" and unlike anything he had experienced before. "I got burns on the hands, on the legs, on the neck," he stated. "The bike was burning completely, like never before." Ducati bikes are generally known for their efficient cooling systems, which made this situation even more puzzling. Di Giannantonio revealed that he had encountered similar issues during practice sessions, but the severity of the burns during the race was far more extreme, making it impossible for him to maintain control and continue participating.
Unique to Di Giannantonio
What added to the mystery was that di Giannantonio was the only Ducati rider to experience such intense burns. His teammates and other riders using the same brand of bike did not face comparable issues, indicating that the problem might be specific to his setup or a unique condition affecting only his bike. This anomaly made the situation even more frustrating for the Italian, who was otherwise confident in his machine’s performance. "Other riders complain about the heat, and maybe sometimes the front lever is hot, but for me it was not possible to ride," he explained. Di Giannantonio’s strategy to mitigate the burns included riding with his legs and arms open, and pulling his feet away from the fairing on the straights, but even these adjustments were not enough to make the race tolerable.
The Decision to Retire
In the midst of his struggle, di Giannantonio made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race. "It was too much," he admitted. "I wanted to continue. But before the last corner, I got almost on the right side [of the track]. So I said, ‘okay, I’m out of the points, the bike is burning, I’m racing a lot, the shoulder is feeling, so that’s it, I can’t anymore—let’s save some laps for tomorrow’s race.’" This decision, while necessary, was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given his recent health challenges and the potential for a strong performance.
Impact of Recent Injury
Adding to the complexity of his situation, di Giannantonio is still recovering from a broken collarbone sustained just over two weeks ago during a wheelie at the Sepang test. Coming into the Thailand Grand Prix weekend, he reported feeling 95 percent fit overall but noted that his shoulder was functioning at "zero percent." This recent injury likely exacerbated the physical strain he experienced during the race, making the burns and the overall heat even more unbearable. Despite these setbacks, di Giannantonio remained optimistic about his prospects for the main race the following day.
Confidence in the Team
Despite the tough weekend, di Giannantonio expressed unwavering confidence in his VR46 team. "I’m really confident about the team and I’m confident that they will fix it," he said. "We have to find a way to fix it, to find solutions to fix it. I don’t want to think that we cannot fix it." The rider’s determination and faith in his team’s ability to address the issue reflect the strong bond and trust within the VR46 camp. Di Giannantonio’s resilience and positive outlook are qualities that will be crucial as he and his team work to ensure a smoother performance for the grand prix on Sunday, aiming to overcome the technical and physical hurdles they currently face.
