Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) made history at the 2025 French Grand Prix at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, becoming the first Frenchman to win on home soil in MotoGP since Pierre Monneret in 1954. In a chaotic race marked by unpredictable downpours, strategic tire changes, and multiple crashes, Zarco mastered the elements to claim his second MotoGP victory, cheered on by over 300 cheering spectators.
Le 2025 French Grand Prix will remain in the annals, not only for its meteorological chaos, but above all for the masterful victory of Johann zarco, national hero, who achieved success in MotoGP on the legendary Bugatti circuit in Le Mans.
It all started with a meteorological drama : rain arrived on the warm-up lap, forcing the peloton to rush back to the pits to put on rain tires. The result? A delayed start and a strategy already put to the test before the first green light. But the asphalt dried quickly and some drivers, sensing a good move, went back on slicks, accepting the two-lap penalty imposed for changing tires after the initial start.
The drama doesn't end there. From the first bend, Francis Bagnaia, already in difficulty this weekend, was thrown to the ground in the crush of the chicane which almost put zarco on the ground… A new disappointment for the champion Ducati, who will cross the line 16th.
Johann Zarco, strategist and opportunist, was able to emerge from chaos
Then comes the ultimate twist: another downpour restarts the race and reshuffles all the cards. As the majority of the drivers return to the pits, zarco made the winning choice to stay on rain tires, avoiding a second stop and taking control of the race.
The audience explodes with joy. The pilot Honda LCR, in full resurgence this season, mastered the conditions perfectly and scored his first MotoGP victory on home soil, ahead of a Marc Marquez combative but powerless and a Fermin Aldeguer sensational, who once again climbs onto the podium after Saturday's Sprint.
Behind this trio: Peter Acosta, solid 4th despite a KTM still imperfect, then Casa Particular in Viñales, Nakagami, Raul Fernandez, Di Giannantonio, Savadori et Ogura.
This victory of Johann zarcoor a 34 years, in the most unpredictable conditions, is a revenge on destiny, a tribute to his tenacity and his racing intelligence. And perhaps also a message to Honda : he is ready for the factory team…
In the championship, Marc Marquez is doing very well since his direct rivals are empty-handed. As for John Zarco, he entered posterity, which is worth all the rankings...
Course MotoGP French GP
MotoGP general classification
