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While the Yamaha riders struggled more than would have been expected after winter testing, the Honda ranks showed more than encouraging signs in Thailand, where the first Grand Prix of the season was held.
Thanks to brand mate Joan Mir's crash in Turn 12 on the 16th lap of the race, Johann Zarco put in his best result since racing with the LCR team's RC213V, crossing the line in seventh place at the checkered flag. That's one position better than the eighth place occupied by the Frenchman last October in Buriram, when he had his best finish of 2024 in a long race.
The presence in the Top 10 of the two-time champion, as well as the fact that Luca Marini managed to match last season's result, seems to be a concrete sign of the improvement Honda is making, but Zarco prefers to remain cautious in quantifying the real extent of the progress made by the Japanese manufacturer.
"The positions we've gained to be in the Top 10 I think are due to the fact that there are fewer Ducatis, and that has a big influence," the 34-year-old told Canal+. "There are also riders who are struggling right now who are riding KTMs. It's not just a big evolution of Honda, because we still have the same problems and we pick up so much from the Ducatis, but at least we can have a little more fun in the race."
Speaking to the French media, Johann lucidly analyzed the scenario seen in Thailand. However, without wanting to take credit away from the work done by Honda.
"There are changes in the championship, I repeat, and this is also what helps us gain some positions in the standings," reiterated the LCR rider, before talking about how the RC213V still managed to juggle well in the chasing group of Ducatis: "Last year it was impossible to fight with the Aprilia or the KTM. Even with the Ducatis because Di Giannantonio and Aldeguer, who is a rookie, are behind. It's a good feeling."
Although there is still work to be done to be able to fight for the very top positions, the race in Buriram and the gap he accumulated from winner Marc Marquez have given the two-time Moto2 champion confidence.
"I am very happy with seventh place. It's always a relief, because the weekend is stressful. On the bike I'm never too comfortable, I feel there is potential to exploit, but it's not easy - he commented - To finish 15 seconds behind the leader means we didn't do too badly in terms of consistency. I think we lack speed, but I hope one day to find it."
