The daily meetings between Johann Zarco and the international press are becoming more and more interesting.
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").
As usual, we report here the entirety of the comments of Johann zarco, in a raw way, therefore without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
With the exception of Jonas Folger, it seems very difficult for all Yamahas. Have you encountered the same problems as Valentino and Maverick?
“I don’t know what problem they have, but it’s always a balance on the bike. Maybe we lack grip. We have solutions to have grip, when we have it, it's difficult to ride the bike, to control the bike. For me, the first comment on Friday was about the movements, a really unstable bike. In the end, we made some improvements, but I didn't get the feeling back. It was difficult.
This morning I fell. I tried to attack differently and I fell. I'm not used to falling like that, so quickly. Then in the afternoon again we continued working but we didn't find an amazing solution. And I'm happy about the qualifications. In the end, I was competitive, Jonas had a very good time but I missed Q2 for almost nothing. There was Vinales and Rossi, but we were in the same times. I think it's a positive point that can give me confidence. On the bike, I was comfortable again. Starting 14th makes things complicated, but it's the best way to work calmly and continue to learn the category by controlling your race. »
Do you expect the tires to deteriorate a lot?
“I think I'm still a little nervous (in MotoGP) and I'm not at my best, and maybe that's my weak point, but I like it because I almost have the same feeling as when I was in Moto2. So personally it's a very good experience and I believe in staying calm and having fun on the bike. During the afternoon, I repeat, I found the feeling again and that can help me for the race, because if I have a great feeling, then maybe I can do great things. These are the things I hope for and believe in, so tire deterioration may cause me less problems than my opponents. »
Will you regain all your feeling for the race, despite the fall?
“It seems so. At the moment it could be worse because I fell, yes. I could never go very, very fast. Sometimes when you're struggling, even if it's not good for the race, you can at least have a good lap. And this good turn doesn't come so easily. Anyway, it's a normal race for a Rookie (laughs). »
Are you going to race with the software or the medium?
" I don't know ! I have to speak with Guy this evening and analyze during the Warm up. For the moment, I have no plans to know whether or not I will use the software. »
Is this an option?
“It’s an option. »
So there you were with the medium?
“No, I think I was on soft/soft, with a very worn front tire. »
Is this what explains the fall?
" Yes ! This explains the fall, the tired tire. And changing his style to try to compensate for certain problems, and ultimately, it didn't work. »
Is it a tire error?
“At the same time, but here it is, first try something, but now, we are going to say that it was not the right limit. These are things that happen. »
Is this your first high-speed fall?
" Yes ! »
When you returned to the box, we saw that you were a little shaken...
“Yes, I was in pain. I have a small fracture here (editor's note: Left ring finger), and that's why it hurts, but with the painkillers, it goes very, very well. It's nothing very serious, but it's a small fracture to check on Sunday. They told me “fit to ride” so it's going very well. »
And there, on the neck?
“It's a test, I had chips of gravel all over my arm, and on my neck, it stings. »
How fast was it?
" I don't know. We're in third gear and we're braking, so it goes quickly. »
This is the second fastest curve on the circuit…
“On entering the corner, yes, I think so. Or even the fastest curve because, ultimately, there are no longer the last two turns. When entering a turn, this is the one where you enter the fastest. »
Do you think having to get back into the swing of things cost you your place in Q2?
“Yes, there must be a bit of that factor, but ultimately, Q2, we can say " Shame ". Because, when you miss Vinales by 5 hundredths, we really set the same time. It's a shame, it doesn't really matter. »
We saw Marc Marquez who fell four times today. Is it due to his particular style?
“No, it’s the track conditions that are putting us all in difficulty. This is perhaps where Pedrosa will do like in Jerez…”
Can being good with tires and bumps make for a great race?
" I believe. When I do FP4 and I stick out my tongue because I can't go fast, and I'm 18th, these things are not good for morale. And still, you say to yourself “hold on, hold on” because you see all the others who put themselves on the ground because they are men like the others. Only Márquez is a little more of a superman. Naturally, everyone will give back a little. »
Are you thinking about staying a little safer tomorrow, not giving 100%?
" No ! I focus on giving 100% from start to finish and that's what will make the difference compared to others. A race, you give your 100%, otherwise you don't race. »
Do you think you will be fast from the start, or progressive like in Jerez?
" No idea ! Progressive like in Jerez? I was second from the first lap… I like this sense of progressiveness (laughs). One driver per turn, it’s progressive (laughs). No, more seriously, you have to concentrate 100%, but without racing yourself. »
You say that when you have grip, the bike is more difficult to ride, and that here, you don't have any. Do you already know what basis you are going to start with, where do you still have things to try?
“I let Guy Coulon do it. I don't want to worry about that. The way I was able to qualify, I regained confidence on the bike, confidence on the front axle, managing to turn the bike, and that remains fundamental points for managing a fight. And so, I prefer these points, even if it means having less grip. »
