Far from the somewhat formatted communication of traditional press releases, the exchanges between the French pilot and the journalists in the Tech3 hospitality are of a richness and simplicity that true enthusiasts will appreciate (you can find all his past debriefs in our section (“Interviews").
There is always the little detail that immerses us more every day in the world of MotoGP…
As usual, we report here the entirety of Johann Zarco's comments, in raw form, therefore without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
Johann zarco : “For me it was good to have the first day in the wet because it helps me take things easy, whereas when you have to be fast from the first lap in the dry you have to discover so much in a short time that you may be tired. So that was an advantage for me.
I'm quite happy because after Misano the confidence was quite low, and I could see that it was only because of the surface at Misano. Here in Aragon, the track was good in the wet and I was quite competitive. So it's good for the team and for me, and my mind is really focused on Aragon and I already have some references. Even if they are not good in the dry, they are references for MotoGP and I am ready to attack tomorrow. »
Have you tried anything on the bike?
“We haven't tested anything because we have to experience the track for the first time and then adapt to the track and the conditions, whether for ourselves or for the bike. So nothing special on the bike, we just left it simple. »
After this day in the rain, will the dry weather tomorrow be enough to be ready for the race?
“Hmmm, I hope that’s enough, yes. Because it seems that the Yamahas work well here. I think I can quickly get into the rhythm. The way I took the references from the track, and this kind of first day can be an advantage for us. »
It's raining a lot this year, and that can help you...
“Yes, I don't remember where it was but I already had this experience of leaving slowly, and that makes me feel better for Sunday. »
How grippy is this track in the wet?
“I think she's not as good as in the Czech Republic where she was really extraordinary. Today we didn't have a lot of water on the track and the grip was normal compared to Misano where, for me, it was too weak. For Petrucci and Marc, it was sufficient because I think they had adjusted their bike well and found better solutions than us. For us, the normal rain settings work here, and that's fine. »
Have you ridden with Valentino at any point?
" No. I just started the session this morning behind him while we were on slicks, but it started to rain and it was better to go back to the box. So no, I didn't follow it. »
You say that you have good references in the wet, but how can we transpose them to the dry?
“Really, to take such precise marks, we'll say that it's a bit like video analysis, but the fact of having driven on the track, even when it's wet, the brain programs itself. And that's what it's all about: you have to program your mind for the circuit, for MotoGP, the sensations, the weight, the speed, etc. Because even though we watch on TV beforehand, I can better understand the speed, and that's the advantage. That's why I'm delighted to have ridden in wet conditions and to have been so competitive. Because if I'm in the wet three seconds behind the times, there's a problem. But that is not the case today. Tomorrow, it will allow us not to worry about the tires, because we ended up saving tires today. And when we don't worry about the tires, I can really ride with a much freer mind, and therefore do a better job, to be more efficient. »
Those are the advantages of having had two sessions in the wet, but you will have less time to work in the dry and choose your tires...
“That doesn’t worry me!” We'll see tomorrow but, on paper, we're moving more towards software and, if we're really limited, we'll go a step higher, so medium. No, that doesn't worry me because, unless we have a really big problem tomorrow and I don't feel comfortable, in general we either take the right car or we don't take it. And if we don't take it, even on Friday, no matter how much we change after the bike in all directions, we can't find the solution. So I leave with a positive attitude; It will start well tomorrow, we will take the right car and stay the course until the race. »
At the start of the season we somewhat accused your choice of using software as being the reason for the difficulties at the end of the race. But Vinales also got into it, and we see that it’s working now…
“At the start of the year, knowing less, I relied more on feeling, and I had the feeling almost only with the soft tires. By taking them, I was assured of having the feeling, of being good in the race and of hanging on to the front runners to learn things. Ultimately, it brought me good results. After mid-season, after wanting to calculate a little more, it wasn't so easy because ultimately I didn't perform much better in the race. It really is a sign that at some point, worrying about things wastes time. For this weekend, we'll see. Maybe Michelin has also evolved a little or the character of the tires has changed a little. At Silverstone, there was no need to worry as there were all tires on the podium. These are things that make you think. »
In MotoGP, is Aragon a nice circuit?
" Yes it's cool. The straight is shorter than before (laughs) and it's a circuit where there is a lot of grip. Márquez is very strong there because, precisely, we can have a lot of confidence in the front end. When we manage to play with that in turns where we are still more than 250 or 260, it creates an adrenaline which is excellent. »
When you climb on the vibrators, does it hold?
“I didn’t hit one. I didn't want to try it in the rain and I don't think they would hold up. »
You were ahead in the first part. What did you miss in the second one?
“All day long, I was doing well on the first partial. What is missing on the second, third, or even fourth? The last corner is tricky... I don't really know but maybe this traction still needs to be found because, especially with the rain tyre, when it starts to wear out or rise in temperature, it becomes hard to control. Doing the right turn at the right time is perhaps what makes the difference and 5 tenths. »
Tomorrow morning, FP3 is announced in the dry…
“Yes, the goal is to qualify, to always be in the 10. That allows you to breathe and prepare for Q2. But do not worry. »
