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 the comments of Johann zarco, in a raw way, therefore without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
How do you understand your place on the grid?
“Either way, it’s not the position I want anywhere. 19th is far, but overall, I say I can be on the podium and fight for a good position because the feeling is pretty good. But the Sachsenring is a difficult circuit; everyone is very close in the times and with a new tire they were able to be very fast. Personally, I'm happy with the race pace we're working with, and it's a shame I crashed this morning because I was able to improve. This is a corner where everyone falls, and even if I'm careful, I can fall. Today I wasn't very lucky and everything didn't go the right way, but anyway, for the first season I need this kind of experience to learn . »
What is Jonas doing better than you at the moment?
“He had good times in Q2. That's it, he did this lap with a new tire. Me, with the new tire, I crashed. I think that for the moment, that’s what’s made the biggest difference. »
There were a lot of crashes at turn 11 and some are starting to say that this turn should be modified. What do you think ?
“For me, it's part of the game. There are riders like Marc Márquez, I think he crashed there in Moto2 in 2011 and 2012, and since then he has never crashed again. And he's still the fastest. There are some tracks that are difficult, but I think that's part of the game and you have to adapt to it yourself. For me, I was careful, even this morning when I crashed, but with the speed we need to have to set times in 1'21, the medium tire was perhaps not the right choice at this time. moment. »
You also tried the hard rear tire. Are you considering it for the race?
“No, this was an obligation for Michelin, for all the drivers. In the dry, you had to try it for at least five laps. »
Is it true that the difference between soft and hard is not that big?
“Here, it’s a circuit where you have to be very consistent. For me, it's hard to see if there's a big difference or not, and either way, it won't be my tire for racing. »
Can you summarize your day for us?
“A difficult day where everything didn't come together, because when the session was dry this morning, I did a good job. With the 50 minutes, we did a good job, and finally, when everyone was doing great times, I felt good about staying in this top 10 but I fell. These are things that happen, even if we try to be careful, it doesn't take much. We are at the limit, so the fall is still quite close. I think that's part of learning. I feel better and better on the bike. I still think, little by little, I will progress on the sensations and the preparation for the race. Unfortunately, there are still factors that make the weekend difficult, and that is a sign of learning.
The fall counted a lot this morning because I didn't qualify, and when it was wet, yesterday I was 1,2 seconds behind. That seems like a lot in the rain, but here I was 8 tenths behind while the first two drivers drove very fast when it was wet. There, the same: I need a little time to attack in the right place. It's quite amazing how fast you can drive in the rain, when the track holds. »
Has the fall damaged your confidence?
" Possible. In the rain, yes, indeed, I fell yesterday. Not too fast, and it was fine. And then today, very quick turnaround. Fortunately, I didn't hurt myself, and it's just a bit of rage at not being able to be in the places that I feel are attainable. But ultimately, everyone fights and I learn. »
This morning, you were the only one using a medium up front. Why this choice ?
“Because from Friday, when we put this software on, we ate it a lot on the left. And so then we switched to the medium, and I felt very good. But in fact, I think it will be the racing tire, and it is the racing tire to run all the laps in 1'22.0, and that, I think it can give a great result. Afterwards, to go to a small 21, it's worth putting on this soft rubber, but this small 21, no one does it for 10 laps. Hence the experience and management of all these elements. This is another lesson for me. »
Should you have taken it at the end of the session?
" Yes exactly ! But as we feel good with a tire, and I was still careful in the corner, I wanted to continue with this one after the test, especially when we see all the others, and we say to ourselves that that would have gone better. And there, what to say? It is by living it that we can manage it better next time. »
Starting 19th, will it be complicated to come back?
" Yes yes ! It's a circuit where it's difficult to overtake, but I find that in these racing conditions, finally, this morning and in FP4, I feel good on the bike, I find that I manage to steer it well, manage grip, motor skills and regularity well. I think it's a strong point for the race, so 19th, you have to take it as a pleasure to go and overtake, lap by lap, those who will be in front of me. As for the moment, I have the bike under control, I think it can make a good place after 30 laps. With regular conditions! Afterwards, if we have to change bikes, the same: we will have to live in the moment and learn from it all. »
If it's a flag to flag race, have you prepared this with the team?
“We’re already good. In Assen, I returned very quickly and it surprised everyone. But here, we gave ourselves a test from FP1, and we are ready for it in any case. Everyone has their own technique for changing motorbikes. I put my foot down, turn around and get on the other motorbike. »
No backflip?
“You never know, maybe at the end of the race! (laughs) »
If they are rain tires, which one did you choose?
“We only ride with the software. There are only two choices for the rain tire, and if it rains like that, I think we'll go soft. »
Was it the fastest fall of your career?
" No ! No ! Phillip Island, it goes faster (laughs). »
Qualification results:
1- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – 1’27.302
2- Danilo Petrucci – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.160
3- Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team - Honda RC213V - + 0.647
4- Cal Crutchlow – LCR Honda – Honda RC213V – + 0.787
5- Jonas Folger – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.908
6- Jorge Lorenzo – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.081
7- Pol Espargaro – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 1.100
8- Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 1.224
9- Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 + 1.367
10- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.401
11- Maverick Vinales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.380
12- Alvaro Bautista – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.525
13- Jack Miller – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V
14- Loris Baz – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP
15- Bradley Smith – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16
16- Andrea Iannone – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR
17- Mika Kallio – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16
18- Hector Barbera – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP
19- Johann Zarco – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1
20- Karel Abraham – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP
21- Sam Lowes – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP
22- Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR
23- Scott Redding – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP
24- Tito Rabat – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V
