MotoGP, Zarco: "Only a revolution can save us, and it can't be in the short term"

"I hope that we'll find something during the tests on the front frame and aerodynamics, but it's the engine that penalizes us the most. We're too slow in keeping up with the others. Yamaha is also superior than us. In the race I feared the wet weather during the race."

Submitted by Chiara Rainis on Mon, 09/09/2024 - 09:10

yohann zarco

honda

lcr

motogp

misano

Johann Zarco 's first weekend in Misano ended with a decent 12th place preceded by a 13th place in the Sprint Race. Despite finishing in the points zone, the LCR team rider didn't hide his disappointment for a situation that shows no sign of changing and continues to relegate the Hondas to the bottom of the standings with no chance of improvement.

"We knew it could rain, so I was expecting a few drops and maybe some turn of events. I was right," he said, analyzing the situation. " I was surprised to see someone come into the pits, but that gained me positions and, obviously, I'm happy about that. Unfortunately, when I noticed there were patches of water, I got scared and preferred not to take risks. I was afraid I'd fall and lose everything. But, then, in a couple of laps, the corner that was wettest dried up, so I slowly picked up my pace and didn't move from twelfth position anymore."

The limits of the Japanese bike remain evident. "I was never able to lap better than 1'33"8, which is too high a time to be competitive. We have a lot of difficulties in corners and on exiting, and we can't follow the others. Of course, I'm satisfied to have gained some points thanks to the situation that arrose, but we hope to try something useful during the tests in terms of frame and aerodynamics. Regarding the engine, on the other hand, we should be having a revolution," he said bluntly. "On this track, the grip is constant, and it made the difference with the competition stand out even more. So, for now, I'm can't ride like a real racer."

To be able to come back fighting, the road is still long. "We have to think about a revolution in the long term, I can't expect much from Monday. I hope that it's at least going to be dry, otherwise, we may lose a lot of laps. I don't know what should be changed, because it's not my job. The only thing I can do is to adapt my riding style. Even Rins who, because of the blue flags, couldn't overtake me despite being faster, in the end, when he did overtake me, he was going faster. This difference is the only thing I can point out to the technicians," he concluded, almost resignedly.