As we are now halfway through the season, Johann Zarco is sixth in the Championship with 84 points, 13 better than second rookie Jonas Folger. What is the overall assessment of these first nine Grands Prix for Laurent, Johann's friend and mentor?
“The overall assessment is very positive because it is still the first year in MotoGP. Johann had a podium and some great races. He showed that he was there, so it’s just happiness.
In Germany, Johann's comeback was all the more difficult as most of the drivers were running in very similar times. Maverick Vinales' fourth best time in the race was achieved in 1'21.903 and Valentino Rossi's thirteenth in 1'22.091, with Zarco's eleventh in 1'22.065. How was Johann able to move up from nineteenth place to tenth under these circumstances?
“Johann had planned to go back like that, and with Guy Coulon he made the right choice of tires. He drives very well, is very motivated, and he made this great comeback. The Yamahas' times were tight and consistent, but that wasn't the case for everyone else. Jorge Lorenzo tumbled, and Danilo Petrucci, third fastest in qualifying, found himself in the cellar. Overall, it was especially the Yamahas that rode well.
The factory bikes evolve during the season, but not Johann's Yamaha which is an ex-factory 2016, therefore frozen. Isn't it an advantage on certain circuits to not have to embark on a complicated program of testing new equipment, as well as to have data from the previous year?
“The two rookies of the year, Johann and Folger, are doing great races with the equipment they have. There, you are getting too technical. What is important first is the desire to do well. There are other drivers who want to, but they are too technical. It no longer looks like a motorcycle, but like F1. The rubber, this, that, it annoys me because we forget the driver.
“It’s the rider who makes the difference on the bike. Motivation counts, as we see with the two rookies who are there practically at every Grand Prix. The Yamaha is good, and Yamaha makes small changes every year, not big ones. If we enter the system “I don’t have the 2018 bike so I’m not going to make it”, there in the brain you get stuck.
“Already the Yamaha is a very good bike, then you need the desire and the result comes by itself because you have a very good team like Tech 3. Afterwards, it is certain that if you play in the Championship and that you will seek the last thousandth, I understand, but basically the Yamaha is good.
“We have the chassis that a great driver had last year, who won Grands Prix by 10 seconds when he was in good shape. We are in a system where tires and technology eat up the brain. Zarco and Folger are on a bike that they love and they are doing good results. They are the most passionate in the entire paddock. Tech 3 is a good team, but with the same bikes the riders they had last year were getting different results. So the man makes a big difference.
“Afterwards, when Valentino, Marquez or Dovizioso play for the title, we offer them small improvements, but the man does a lot. His desire to achieve a good result is decisive. Man has a lot to do with it, fortunately.
The choice of tires for the race is quite complicated this year depending on the numerous options available. Does Johann's flexible style, less brutal than that of some, make this choice easier for him?
“Yes, but then it’s the feeling, the person, the discovery of the bike. Knowing your bike 100% is safe. It is certain that Johann has very precise and smooth driving. It's a metronome. He has certain sensations that others don't have, who are more aggressive than him. Folger also has abilities, look closely. In Barcelona, Folger was not aggressive, Johann was. Johann understood on Sunday. He reached Folger and overtook him. You have to be careful about all that.
“I think that’s the solution. If you start opening drawers and looking at what other people have, you won't get through it. Make do with what you have. Don't forget that you have a Yamaha and a Tech 3 team which are fabulous. You don't have to ask yourself any questions. You almost drive on nipple tires! I say that as a joke but you have working conditions which mean that you have to choose your tires according to the track and the grip, but there is not a mountain. It's the man who makes the difference. But I think the Yam is the best bike in the field. And it's always been like that. The 2016 or not, who cares, they are still ahead.
“The first Yamaha at the German GP is Folger. Pole position at Assen goes to Johann. At the French Grand Prix, Johann was in front of the two official Yamahas. The man makes the difference. The others may have different little details, but you shouldn't think about the little details when you're riding. That's not what makes the difference.
If Valentino Rossi or Maverick Vinales fights for the title at the last Grands Prix, will Johann be asked to help him?
“This is a question that must be asked of Hervé Poncharal. And then if Vinales is on pole and Johann has the ninth fastest time, how will he help him?
I was thinking more of the opposite hypothesis. If he is in front, will he have to let him pass?
“You have to ask Hervé the question. He's the boss.
Among the 9 circuits remaining for this season, which could be the most favorable to Johann?
“Brno, Silverstone, Motegi and Sepang.
Why ?
“Regarding his driving style. »
Photos © Tech 3
