We perpetuate our habit of referring to you in full the words of Johann Zarco, in a raw way, therefore without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
Alongside the sometimes slightly formatted communication of traditional press releases, the exchanges between the French rider and the journalists in the hospitality of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team are of a richness and simplicity that true enthusiasts will appreciate (you can find all his past debriefings in our section “Interviews").
There is always the little detail that immerses us more every day in the world of MotoGP…
How do you manage the pressure for this Grand Prix which takes place at home for you?
Johann zarco : “regarding this Thursday at Le Mans, as I said yesterday, there is pressure but I can manage it well. I feel good and I'm happy to see all the fans screaming my name and supporting me. And I don't feel that pressure on the bike, which is very important.
This morning it was cool and it had been a long time since we had ridden in these cold conditions. Even though the weather was nice and sunny, the temperatures were low, so it was necessary to be careful and not fall. The more laps I did, the better I felt the feeling coming back. So it was good and it's typical of Le Mans: the more laps you do, the better the feeling. You don't feel the tires wearing out so I think that's good. During the afternoon, we continued to work and try to progress. We had a good improvement with the soft tire, I feel that we have not yet found the right setting to control the bike well. But when we reach it, I think I will be fast from start to finish. It’s very important if I want to get the victory.”
Why do the Yamahas work so well here?
“I don't really know why the Yamahas work well here. Le Mans is a small circuit and you never really push the bike to the maximum. You really have to flow through every turn. The slippage in the corners is also quite high and that's why we are good with the Yamahas. It's better for us. The base of the Yamaha, with its electronics and its suspensions, is quite good. You really feel that from the first lap you are in the right tempo. So you can work on yourself, and then just do little things. You don't need to change the bike to find the settings. This is sometimes difficult at other Grands Prix, but here we are already immediately in the right rhythm.”
You seem to handle pressure better than most of the other drivers…
“I can't say that I am stronger in the face of pressure, I can say that now, with time, I manage it better. I can withdraw into myself enough before the sessions to ride the bike and do the work. But I live it pretty well. Of course, there are people waiting and I can't answer everyone, and people understand that. Thanks to the experience, I also manage to enjoy these moments. I can't say it gives me more energy but it doesn't sap me either. I stay well in my bubble, and before each session I am still well isolated to then go on the bike, and whatever the circuit, do the job.”
When do you think we'll see another somersault?
“That’s a good question about the backflip. I hope so as soon as possible, so why not here? And if this is not the case, it will not be a tragedy. But I can still do it and we will enjoy it soon.”
What are your thoughts on what Marc Márquez, Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso did today?
“Marc did his fastest lap on a hard rear tire, so that means he's strong. Vinales also became strong again. He found the rhythm with a worn rear tire and he's there. It is therefore possible that all these top drivers will be competitive.”
Do you feel stronger than last year in the same place?
“Compared to last year, I feel much better. What I learned last year when I struggled or fell was that I finally found the right riding style. Today I feel like I can start immediately on my first lap with this feeling. So I’m ready a day earlier, compared to last year.”
We see that the pace is already below the 1'32 mark. How do you explain this compared to last year?
“The bikes are good and the tires have evolved well. I think Michelin tires are becoming more and more efficient, and it even looks like Qatar, where the tire used in the race also set the track record. 10 years ago, you needed a qualifying tire that was only capable of doing one lap to tie that time or to set a very fast time. So in my opinion, largely thanks to the tires. And there, we have started to have this similar electronics for 2 or 3 years, and that also allows us to better manage the bike with experience. So the tires, plus a regulation that has remained constant for several years.”
In which area can you still improve a little? Traction, braking or cornering speed?
“I think the most important thing is this motor skills. I go through the corner well, but as soon as I try to accelerate more, I tend to slide. The bike remains under control but as soon as you slip, it's a sign that you can't go any faster. And there, I know, I feel on the bike that once we find the solution, then it will go quickly. I hope we have still identified the problem of why it is slipping. We have already taken a good step forward this morning. We didn't take this same step during the afternoon, but we're still in the game, so calm down and still have the desire.”
In your answers in English, you mentioned your driving style which has evolved. For example, is it to secure big points if you feel a little less well?
" No. In fact, thanks to the evolving style, it allows you to attack Fridays right away in a good way. That is to say at the right pace and to drive the bike well so that the Yamaha reacts as best as possible, and therefore be able to give the right information. And there, I see that I am immediately in the game, and therefore, what I ask of the bike is not going to disrupt it, and that is the most important thing. Afterwards, once in the race, we give the maximum and if at that moment the maximum is not to win or have a podium, you have to know how to be intelligent and ensure. But for the moment, there is no reason to review this objective.”
You were able to follow Valentino Rossi for a while. Did you see a difference between your bike and his?
" No. At that time he had a new tire and I had worn tires. It was good that he was in front because it always allows you to have a wheel and to analyze a little. I didn’t see any particular difference.”
HJC French Grand Prix J.1: Chronos
| 1 | 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati | 1'31.936 | ||
| 2 | 93 | Marc Márquez | Honda | 1'32.104 | 0.168 | 0.168 |
| 3 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | 1'32.179 | 0.243 | 0.075 |
| 4 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | 1'32.204 | 0.268 | 0.025 |
| 5 | 5 | johann zarco | Yamaha | 1'32.279 | 0.343 | 0.075 |
| 6 | 43 | Jack Miller | Ducati | 1'32.302 | 0.366 | 0.023 |
| 7 | 44 | Pol Espargaró | KTM | 1'32.414 | 0.478 | 0.112 |
| 8 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | 1'32.466 | 0.530 | 0.052 |
| 9 | 41 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | 1'32.572 | 0.636 | 0.106 |
| 10 | 99 | Jorge Lorenzo | Ducati | 1'32.576 | 0.640 | 0.004 |
| 11 | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | 1'32.586 | 0.650 | 0.010 |
| 12 | 53 | Tito RABAT | Ducati | 1'32.617 | 0.681 | 0.031 |
| 13 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | 1'32.647 | 0.711 | 0.030 |
| 14 | 29 | Andrea Iannone | Suzuki | 1'32.752 | 0.816 | 0.105 |
| 15 | 42 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | 1'32.803 | 0.867 | 0.051 |
| 16 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | 1'32.851 | 0.915 | 0.048 |
| 17 | 30 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | 1'33.072 | 1.136 | 0.221 |
| 18 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | KTM | 1'33.318 | 1.382 | 0.246 |
| 19 | 55 | Hafiz Syahrin | Yamaha | 1'33.435 | 1.499 | 0.117 |
| 20 | 21 | Frank MORBIDELLI | Honda | 1'33.667 | 1.731 | 0.232 |
| 21 | 45 | Scott REDDING | Aprilia | 1'33.830 | 1.894 | 0.163 |
| 22 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | 1'33.942 | 2.006 | 0.112 |
| 23 | 12 | Thomas LUTHI | Honda | 1'34.089 | 2.153 | 0.147 |
| 24 | 10 | Xavier SIMEON | Ducati | 1'34.311 | 2.375 | 0.222 |
