Let's Talk MotoGP: Here's Why the Johann Zarco 'Case' Is So Serious

The Hungarian Grand Prix has just concluded, unlike the Johann Zarco affair, which is only getting worse. You can't have missed it: the French rider, who said just before this weekend that he would like to become Honda's number 1 driver, doesn't have the same equipment as the factory riders. And that's a big problem.

 

What's happening

 

If you haven't been following the news, let me summarize this case for you. Johann Zarco has publicly admitted that he has tested new parts – the nature of which is not really known, even if these improvements, a priori, mainly concern the aerodynamics and the swingarm –, that said parts have been adopted by the two official riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir, but that he did not benefit from it for the moment. Worse, according to Zarco himself, he won't have them in Barcelona either, in two weeks. Only, while Zarco has been struggling since Austria with non-existent sensations, Mir and then Marini had their best weekends with Honda in the last two rounds.

 

 

The fact that the three drivers are not on an equal footing is very problematic, because Honda's promise, further reinforced by Zarco's presence in the factory team at the Suzuka 8 Hours, was to give him the same chances; better still, to make him a pillar of the team MotoGP. Sure, he's at LCR, but I thought the Japanese had erased that satellite/factory distance that cost them so much in the past. Apparently not.

This situation is totally ridiculous for Honda, because the real number 1, the one who should have the best parts in advance, is him! He not only won in France, but he also achieved feats in the dry with his RC213V; I think of Qatar and that fantastic second place in England.

 

Misunderstanding

 

If all this is true – and there is no reason why it should not be – it doesn't make any sense. None. Honda would prefer to favor its official riders rather than the best of them, while Ducati, in 2017, already gave the opportunity to its former satellite team Pramac Racing to compete for podiums with the aim of one day reaching the top collectively. I don't understand this decision. Many are again accusing Alberto Puig of being behind all this, as it is true that there had already been a precedent with Zarco shortly before his departure for KTM.

But Puig, as incomprehensible as he may be, does he read a different general ranking than me? It's true that he was behind the recruitment of Joan Mir, one of the worst transfers in the history of the discipline. Still, that's big! It doesn't seem complicated to me to take a look at this season, and deduce that Zarco is not only the number 1 clear, but also the only one capable of doing something lasting and impactful with the RC213V! The proof: in Hungary, the "new version" Honda seemed particularly efficient. But in the end, with the falls of Mir – yet another one – and a disillusioned Zarco, what does the winged company gain from it? Didn't it sacrifice a chance to score very big points in the constructors' standings? Who guarantees that once Zarco benefits from the same improvements,Will Honda encounter such favorable tracks?

 

 

The message

 

Now that you've got a good grasp of this issue, let's talk about the saddest part. Because, ultimately, if you take a step back, from a results perspective alone, it's not so bad. Marini is progressing and racing excellently, as is Mir, when he doesn't crash. Zarco didn't score any points in Hungary, but that could happen, and Honda will probably never catch KTM in the constructors' standings. What is most cruel is the message sent.

If Puig wanted to alienate his best rider, he couldn't do it any other way.. Obviously, this destabilizes Zarco because the media talk about it, so he justifies himself, and the more he justifies himself, the more he is told about it, and the snowball grows. This is a nuisance that a driver who takes enormous risks does not need. And then, beyond the message, we do not forget an affair like this so quickly. It is the kind of decision that causes a loss of confidence, that sows trouble in a team. This could perfectly well have repercussions on Lucio Cecchinello, as well as on Mir and Marini, who were also questioned on the subject and who are absolutely not responsible for it.

You see, this can quickly create an unpleasant atmosphere, which is not conducive to the return of the greatest manufacturer of all time.

 

 

Conclusion

 

One sentence made me realize the seriousness of the situation: “I would like to be number 1 at LCR, but it’s not possible.”. We feel that Johann doesn't really want to go to HRC, but he knows he won't have a choice if he wants to take the next step. At this stage of his career, he probably prefers the more family atmosphere of a team like LCR. Yes, he wants more, But are the latest improvements worth the mental comfort Cecchinello brings him? I don't know, and it scares me quite a bit for the future.

I am curious to have your opinion on this thorny question. Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport