Johann Zarco has made a strong choice: at 35, the French rider has decided to extend his adventure with Honda until the end of the 2027 season. The two-time MotoGP winner thus becomes the first rider officially confirmed for the new regulatory cycle, which will see the championship switch to 850cc engines and Pirelli tires.
For zarco, this two-year contract is not just an extension, but a strategic opportunity. Before the Grand Prix of Catalonia, he explained why he was absolutely determined to run until the 2027 era:
“I am quite happy because signing until 2027 was the goal, because I believe that with the new regulations, different tires, there might be a little more equality on the grid or random situations that, thanks to my experience, I will be able to catch – and have chances of podiums and victories »
Aware of the difficulty of the challenge, zarco remains convinced that his experience can make a difference: “ it was therefore important, with the experience I have and the great motivation that is always there, to continue until 2027 to have a better chance of achieving good results. And I'm delighted. »
Johann Zarco: “ Now that everything is settled, it is good to focus on the present moment to regain confidence and fully enjoy the team »
With his future now secure, the Frenchman wants to regain serenity and efficiency:
« Now that everything is settled, it's good to focus on the present moment to regain confidence and fully enjoy the team. MotoGP is so precise that If I master all the details with my team, I know I can achieve good results. »
In addition to its sporting value, zarco becomes a centerpiece of the project Honda to prepare for the post-2026 period. The former Moto2 world champion assures that his involvement goes beyond the simple role of driver:
« I saw in 2024 that even in difficult times, I still enjoyed myself because I saw Honda's work, the work in the shadows, because it seems that it doesn't pay off on the track. But they were working hard and I said to myself 'Okay, I'm part of this project, I'm trying to do things in a smart way to move the project forward. »
Et zarco insist hard crash.net : Honda can rely on him. Clearly, with what I have shown in a year and a half at Honda, they can trust me, I will continue to push and my feedback – I hope – is good enough to prepare this 2027 motorcycle which I still don't know what it will be like. But I'm happy to be part of it. »
