2023-08-22 08:33:48
(Motorsport-Total.com) – On race Sunday in Spielberg, another important piece of the puzzle in the current MotoGP rider market was added: Pramac confirmed the departure of Johann Zarco, who then officially made his move to LCR-Honda next year.
Johann Zarco (right) will take over from Alex Rins at LCR-Honda in 2024
A press release from LCR is pending, but one thing is certain: Zarco has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
That was precisely the decisive criterion for the Frenchman, even if the change means that he leaves what is currently the most competitive bike on the grid in order to switch to what is currently the weakest in the field.
“We had the opportunity from Ducati to ride another year, but I mightn’t be sure if I might stay with Pramac,” reveals Zarco regarding the circumstances of his decision. “There was good interest from Honda, who offered me two years, also with a project for the future.”
“This year I have a different path, a different approach to my training and the race weekend and that gave me the energy to see myself in MotoGP for a longer period of time,” says Zarco, who at 33 is one of the older riders.
Zarco no longer wanted a one-year contract
In recent years, it has always been difficult for Ducati to extend “despite good results, regular battles for podium places and top 5 places in the championship”. “And this year it was even more difficult.”
“Because I wasn’t sure that I would stay with Pramac, I didn’t want to sign with another team, even if it was the same bike. If I’m going to change teams, I want to start another project,” explains Zarco and once once more emphasizes the length of the contract.
“It’s a safe two years. As an athlete who’s 33 years old, I had to think regarding that a little bit. I’ve always had one-year contracts for the past two years and following five or six races you start to stress when you’re thinking regarding the future thinks because you’re not sure if you can stay.”
Photo gallery: Honda: All MotoGP riders since 2002
Zarco does not have to ask this question at LCR-Honda. At the same time, he is aware of the challenges involved in switching to a radically different machine.
“I’m excited regarding the motorcycle,” says the Frenchman – well aware of the crisis Honda is currently in. But Zarco is confident: “I am sure that they have the power to invest and find solutions and I will be proud if I can find a way together with them.”
“I still think the one who can win on the bike once it gets better will be Marc (Marquez) because he remains an incredible rider when he’s feeling good.” But he still has to fight.
Marquez: Another driver with experience
How does the six-time MotoGP World Champion react to the news of Zarco’s move to LCR-Honda? “He’s another rider with good experience and above all he’s riding the best bike in the field at the moment,” says the Spaniard. “Of course he will give us some good comments to the engineers.”
But Marquez emphasizes that Joan Mir and Alex Rins also brought a lot of experience with them from another manufacturer. Both joined Honda from Suzuki in 2023. And yet there has been no real improvement so far.
“We’re in a moment where all the Honda riders are struggling with the same problem. It’s not like one is struggling at one point and the other is struggling at another point. But when he (Zarco) gets into the Honda family, he’s welcome and certainly willing to work,” says Marquez.
In any case, Zarco is not deterred by the current problems of his future employer. He looks forward to working with Honda and LCR. He already knows the team and its boss Lucio Cecchinello from three Grand Prix appearances in 2019, when he stood in for the then injured Takaaki Nakagami.
“We met four years ago and developed a good connection. At that time I had a good feeling on the Honda, so I’m not afraid,” he says.
Photo gallery: The career highlights of Johann Zarco
“I’m much better prepared than in the past. Yes, I’ve had bad experiences with KTM,” Zarco recalls the 2019 season. At that time, he switched from Tech 3 Yamaha to the KTM factory team. But the connection lasted only 13 races and was terminated prematurely due to lack of success.
Which is different than when you switched to KTM in 2019
“At the moment it looks almost the same. Things are going well with Ducati (like in 2018 with Yamaha) and I’m going to Honda,” admits the Frenchman. “But I’m much more mature, so I think I can handle difficult situations better.”
“When I was with KTM, I didn’t have my nerves under control, but I only had the experience with the Yamaha. My riding style has changed a lot with Ducati in recent years. I’ve learned a lot and I’m much more aware of what’s happening . I like having that control,” explains the 33-year-old.
“Obviously I would prefer to win but I’m willing to keep learning and understanding how the riders are doing or what we can do with the bike.”
“And like I said, I’m still very competitive, so it’s a good moment to try,” affirms Zarco. “With those two secure years, I’m taking some of the stress and weight off my shoulders and I can say, ‘okay, look a little further ahead and build something different.’
But before that happens, he wants to finish the season well. “We still have half the races to go and I’ll do my best. I want to fight for the top five in the World Championship and help Pramac keep first place in the teams’ classification. That would be Pramac’s best season then.”
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