Johann Zarco met the press this Thursday in KTM hospitality, as a prelude to the Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera, on a Misano circuit where the French rider obtained the 8th time at the end of his only day of test carried out two weeks ago.
As usual, we report here the raw words of John Zarco, without the slightest journalistic interpretation.
How are you physically?
Johann zarco : " I am well. Physically, I have no problem. Two weeks of vacation was good. There was the test here, only one day, but a decent day where I got familiar with a very different track compared to Silverstone, the Czech Republic or Spielberg. It is very narrow and the asphalt is quite delicate with the temperature. For me it was perfect because even though I only did one day, it was enough to get used to it and prepare for this weekend. So I'm OK. During the test, we once again understood that keeping things simple helps us perform better. »
This track is known for having very low grip…
“It's true, but I almost had my best performance since the start of the season during the test, both in terms of time and ranking. It was only a test but I had never been in the top 10. It was very good, so if it helps me in the top 10 I take it as a good thing. »
Has your feeling on the bike improved?
“Really, the pure feeling on the bike is not fantastic, but I manage myself to at least get some performance, and that's the way I want to do the next races: not to think too much, and even if I'm not very comfortable, get whatever I can. »
Did the extra-soft tire available for testing help you with this?
“I haven't tried the new tire. I used the soft tire from the allocation and I know that obviously the new extra soft tire was great for two laps but couldn't be a tire for the race. I didn't try it because a few riders only tried it during the second day. So I do not know. It was important to use the allowance and take as much information as possible for this weekend. »
Was it the team that decided that you would only do one day of testing?
“Yes, because there were a lot of new pieces that were ready, and they only wanted Dani to try them. That’s why they asked me to only do one day. »
Do you have any news about next year?
" No. There is no news. I have some plans and I'm working on them. I hope, and it would be nice, to get some confirmations in early October and be able to say something. »
Is it difficult to have to manage and negotiate for your future at the same time?
“I have good people around me, so no. I think that with experience I can immediately talk to the right people and, at the moment, it's not very complicated discussions: just knowing what is possible and what I would like to do. So these are easy conversations at the moment. »
MotoGP test rider seemed to be your priority. Is this still the case ?
" Yes always. In any case, this is the most possible and realistic option. And that could be really good for preparing, so that's one of the plans I'm working on. »
Is returning to Moto2 still an option?
“No, it is moving away more and more, since the option of being a test rider on a winning machine remains, after several weeks of reflection, the best solution to stay on a MotoGP and keep those sensations there. »
Is Éric de Seyne one of your interlocutors?
“Yes, completely! This is the advantage of my position as a MotoGP rider: I can quickly talk to the important people of each team, who manage this world. It saves a lot of time. »
Are you still pretty confident?
“The future is not dark! How are you. I'm pretty calm, even if I don't have anything confirmed. We will say that with this decision, I am creating my chance, and perhaps it will come. »
The penalty of three places on the grid for Sunday, has it been digested?
“Yes, I forgot it, but it’s going to bother me again on Saturday. Damage ! Too bad because I think the overtaking maneuver was completely correct, and simply they needed to give a penalty because Miguel fell. »
Do you think it's automatic as soon as a pilot falls?
“Almost, yes. Otherwise, I would have to waste energy for a week to prove them wrong, and I didn't want to. »
We were then able to converse face to face, off microphone. We will summarize it soon…
