Jerez, MotoGP, J1, Johann Zarco Debriefing: a new chassis, 2 crashes and Q2 as the objective (Full)

At KTM Factory, on Fridays, there are no press releases. It's the only factory team to have adopted this policy, but that's how it is.

To get some feedback from the official drivers, there is no other solution than to be content with the mini-videos broadcast here or there, or to be on site and record the comments of the Mattighofen holders.

Here are those of Johann zarco, after a very eventful day which saw the French driver fall twice, once this morning, once this afternoon, while he sought to validate and get the most out of the new chassis already tested during the private test at Mans.

But once the moments of irritation, extensively filmed, have passed, the French pilot knows how to draw lessons from the day, distinguishing between the positive and the less positive...

In this regard, some may be surprised to learn that the 2 falls that occurred this Friday do not prevent the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider from aiming for a direct passage into Q2 even though he currently only appears at 19th position in the combined rankings for this first day. But less than a second from the fastest...

Johann zarco : “I tried to start as best as possible, without taking into account the problems I may feel on this bike, and try to compensate for these problems by myself. It was going pretty well, but on the last lap I lost the front at turn 11 because I hit the white line on the inside of the curve. It was quite a quick place but everything went well. Then, in the afternoon, it was impossible to improve. I suffered another crash, but at turn 2, so a slow corner. The temperature didn't help us, but I also think that what we tried to do on the bike just gave me a less good feeling. So tomorrow we need to get some good feelings back to have the possibility of improving, because I still feel that with 4 or 5/10 better, I can at least hope to go straight to Q2, which would be a very good result for tomorrow ".

What do you think of your new chassis?

“We have to reconfirm the new chassis that I tested at Le Mans. Here in Jerez it seems to confirm being a little better. It's not something magical, but at least it's something with which I can control the bike better. I want to work from this point and progress.”

How did you manage the different tires?

“With the heat this afternoon, the hard tires worked quite well. I only made the mistake of not trying the hard tire at the front, although it could have been a good help for us this afternoon. But a good help to have a better feeling, not to achieve a much better time because the wind was rather strong.”

How did the 2nd fall go?

“I just tried to attack the corner like never before. I put my body outside the motorcycle as if I were a passenger. But the problem, when you are a passenger on the motorcycle, is that if something happens to it, you are already no longer on the motorcycle.”

It takes a lot of patience and motivation to move the KTM project forward…

“Exactly, this is the challenge I have to go through. I agree to make this whole project grow with everything I have in my hands. It's true that it's a difficult time, but OK, I think that today I got better answers than what I got in the last races, and that's one way to have a smile, at least a little, this evening.”

Pol Espargaró has a very different driving style. What are the consequences for the development of motorcycles?

“You have to ask KTM for this because they are the ones responsible for managing all the riders. Definitely the way he rides the bike is not my style and that's why it's relatively difficult to adapt at the moment. Overall, when he feels good, I don't feel very good, but there are enough people in the box to control all this information.

Do you already have an idea of what you are going to test on Monday?

" Not yet ! I want to feel good on Saturday and Sunday first, then I will think about Monday.”

How different is your bike from last November's tests?

“Compared to November, I think we are very different. We are immediately much more in the game, so there is no photo: we are already much better. Technically, I can't really say what, because I let the engineers do it, but the bike is already very changed."

Here you have an old chassis and a new chassis…

“Yes, it’s May and development is starting. What I was able to do at Le Mans, we carried it over here. It’s not night and day, but it still allows you to get better results.”

Did you drive with it in the rain at Le Mans?

“The whole 2nd day. It was very good. Finally, “very good”… It was important to ride because, I set off on the track and I was very slow, and then with calmness we found the right balance and the right settings. And there, the pace is no longer ridiculous at the end of the day. The problem is like here. I am convinced that on Monday we can do a good job but it will take us a lot of time to find the right area. And in 2 times 45 minutes, we are not going to say that it is almost impossible, but almost.”

This morning, you had the carbon swingarm…

“I didn’t even pay attention. I don’t know because sometimes it’s just a protection.”

When you say it's a little better, is it because the bike is a little less physical to take to the apex?

“Overall, yes, it's that corner entry and the moment when I'm in the corner that gives me less the impression that the bike is going straight. And that still helps me relax a lot.”

We saw Pedrosa doing a bit of trackside. Have you discussed it with him or with KTM?

“I haven’t had time yet.”

It is a physical circuit with few places to rest. How do you see the race?

“When I said “being in the right zone”, it means being able to go quickly without being restricted in breathing. For the moment, if I want to succeed in setting good times, I have to put myself at more than 180 at heart level. And at more than 180, it’s hard to do 45 minutes.”