This Saturday April 9, 2022, John Zarco answered questions from journalists from the Circuit of the Americas in Austin at the end of the second day of the Grand Prix of the Americas.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French driver who occupies 8th place in the championship and concludes qualifying in 4th position in Texas.
As usual, we report here the words of John Zarco without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
Johann zarco : " A hard day! It started very well this morning but then for most of the riders the rear tire was completely destroyed. It was then difficult to continue working consistently on the bike with this kind of tire, but we had no choice and we wanted to do more laps to get that difficult feeling. Then there were other things we wanted to do to feel better and then improve the time, but we couldn't really test them properly, so I think we missed the day a bit. Because to take another step forward to feel better on the bike, as we were very good yesterday, it was even more difficult to feel better and then go even faster.
The little crash caused by using the hard front tire, I think that didn't help either and I lost a bit of confidence.
In FP4, I was still struggling because, I repeat, the settings that we tried to find to give me even more support everywhere did not come through. In qualifying, it went correctly. It's really good to have the five Ducatis in front and I'm fourth. On the first outing it's always difficult to really find the rhythm, then we had yellow flags in the first two laps. The first outing was therefore only an outing to gain a little confidence. The time attack that I was able to make was correct: I was all alone and I really did as much as possible. The 02.5 was the same as yesterday, but with different positives and different weak points. From this, I hope to be a little more comfortable tomorrow to prepare for the race. »
Do you know why you did the same time as yesterday but with differences to achieve it?
«
No, it's just that the high level pushes you more than you think, and that's why we're all always at the limit. It's very difficult to control everything at this limit! This is why it is not easy to really manage and understand the areas that sometimes need improvement. We have weaknesses, we have strengths, and we're still trying to manage that. So no, I don't really have a clear explanation. »
Are you preparing for qualification with Jorge Martín, or is it a coincidence that he is still behind you?
« It was a coincidence! I mean, he did a fantastic job, because he did a good lap in Q1 and then he did 2.05 in Q2 with the worn tire. I think he was then able to have really great confidence and then did this perfect lap behind me. But when I went out for the last time, I knew I would only have one or two rounds. I saw Fabio go out with the Suzukis, but it was a little too far away for me to really follow them, so I thought "I have to do it myself". And I knew that Martín was behind me, but he has more capacity to wait and then attack and that's why I told myself that I had to attack: I didn't really have any other solution if I wanted to save my qualification. That's why, despite all these thoughts, fourth place is positive. »
Is the front ride height device working better and better?
« Yes. Anyway, the first time we tried it, it worked pretty well. We then had some problems with him, which we tried to resolve over time, and I continue to work with him because I think we will take a good step with him. So now I'm used to using it. As for the small developments, I let the technicians talk about them, because when I'm on the track, I don't think about them too much since there are many other things to think about. I think the more I use it, the more information the team will have. »
Are you going to use it tomorrow in the race?
«
Yes. With the feelings I have, it would be a mistake to think about changing it, believing that I will feel better.
»
How do you envisage the race tomorrow?
«
I hope to feel really more comfortable during the warm up to play with the bike, and that will bode well for the race. Because after FP4, I see that there is an ability to go fast, but still a little too much effort, and this effort over the 20 laps is a little worrying. So, I'm waiting! I'm waiting to feel better: already, the speed is a good thing, then we'll really have to manage to play a little more to overtake and to keep the pace over the 20 laps. »
Is it the circuit that is particularly physical?
« Yes, yes, it’s the circuit, that’s for sure! Because there are these changes of direction which are very difficult for all drivers, and these very tight turns which in fact do not give many options: you have to go in perfectly and come out perfectly, because as soon as you has a small problem, it amplifies a lot. So, yes, I think that the circuit plays a big part. »
Results of Qualifying 2 of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin:
Results of Qualifying 1 of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
