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After three seasons riding the Pramac Racing team’s Ducati, Johann Zarco will be getting on the LCR team’s Honda in 2024, for the first of his two-year contract stipulated with Lucio Cecchinello’s team: the only team to have led the RC213V to victory in this tormented first half of the championship, thanks to Alex Rins’ success on the Circuit of the Americas.
Did the French rider make the right decision by accepting the Japanese constructor’s offer, or should he have continued with Ducati for another season, and then move on to the Superbike? Only time will be able to answer this question, which divided souls after the weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Most everyone, in fact, appeared surprised and skeptical of Zarco’s move.
But his brand partner Luca Marini – who supported the decision of the 33-year-old from Cannes – wasn't surprised at all. This was confirmed through statements reported by our colleagues at Crash.net: “I believe that Honda offered a very good contract, and accepting this opportunity was the right thing to do,” the Mooney VR46 team rider said. “Honda will definitely return. It’s just a transitional year, but Honda is a very strong constructor and, in two seasons, it’ll come back stronger than ever.”
Sixth in the championship standings, just five points from the French rider, the rider from the Marche region didn’t hide the fact that he'd “like to have a factory bike” for next season. Although Zarco’s move to Honda freed up a spot in Pramac alongside Jorge Martin, Marini should, nevertheless, continue to defend the VR46 team colors, along with his teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, while Franco Morbidelli seems closer to filling the empty spot in Ducati.
