MotoGP Brno J2 Conference Johann Zarco (Ducati/1): pole, the future at Ducati, etc. (Entirety)

After performing brilliantly on the first day of the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Johann zarco created a surprise by obtaining pole position ahead of his compatriot Fabio Quartararo.

The French driver was therefore invited to the post-qualifying press conference which also brought together Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli, Joe Roberts and Raúl Fernández.

As usual, we report here the entirety of the comments of Johann zarco, without the slightest formatting.

---

Johann, after a difficult last season, this pole position must give you extraordinary confidence…

Johann zarco : " It was a good feeling to get this pole position! I saw the time and I was surprised because there was a huge difference from the one I did with the first tire during qualifying. So I thought it was a good time to get a good position, but it wasn't my last lap. I still had one lap but I thought I wouldn't really be able to do another lap because I had used the tire really well on the first lap. This weekend, there is a big difference between the first round and the others. Even if you try to drive better, the time doesn't improve, and that's why it's really important to use the first lap of the soft tire perfectly. »

« When I crossed the line I saw the P1 sign shown by my team and they looked happy, but I still had in mind that another driver was going to improve. Since there are no giant screens around the track, you really wonder! On one hand you're smiling, but on the other you're telling yourself to just be happy with the time because you're not sure you'll have pole position. Then, when I went to the parc ferme, I was at the number one location. It was really good ! I'm just happy! Because as I said, it’s above all a surprise for me. I am growing and progressing with each lap on this bike, to better control the Ducati which has great potential, but with which it is not easy to do everything. I would say that at the level I am at in my progress, I did not expect to have pole position. »

What can we expect in the race tomorrow?

« Regardless, I think the race pace is better than in previous events, but not yet the pace needed to win. In any case, the conditions will be slightly different tomorrow but thanks to the pole position acquired today, I will be able to have an advantage at the start of the race. This would also be the second surprise of the weekend. So I have to wait and see tomorrow. Stay as long as possible to fight for the podium? Why not, it could be a very good option, but also stay strong in the top five. As I said, the level I am currently at in my learning, getting a top five would be a great result! Things are getting back in place but I have to accept any step forward. Today it's a bigger step than we had planned, so we take it and it's always positive, but tomorrow maybe staying with the top drivers will be a big help for be fast, then the tire will deteriorate and we will see how to deal with it. »

What does this pole position taste like, and does it give you hope of being an official Ducati rider next year?

« The goal is to have a good saddle at Ducati next year, but the first goal is to work well this year. I feel that I have lost something to ride at a very high level and I am very happy to be able to rediscover this feeling with the Ducati. It doesn't come suddenly but we see, like today, that we can sometimes be surprised. But it's not just a surprise for qualifying, because the performance was better yesterday than in Jerez, so we'll see. My first goal is to do a good job on the bike and improve, and I know that if I do all these little things well all the time, then the performances will come. And from there I will see where I can be at Ducati, because anyway my only solution is to stay at Ducati. But after everything they have done since last November for the team and for me, it is clear that I want to stay with them, because I feel good on the bike and I feel that I can do much more in the future . I think they also believe in that but they are waiting to see how I can perform in the races. Maybe to give me a chance, why not, to be on the factory bike. We will see. »

Can you compare the 2018 Johann Zarco to the 2020 Johann Zarco? And does the Ducati require different work from that done with the Yamaha?

« Yes, we need to do different things. When you watch on TV, it's not easy to see these differences in riding, but clearly the way I performed in 2017 and 2018 would not be good enough this year, even with the Yamaha. I see that each rider has progressed a lot and everyone feels rather comfortable on their bike, as we saw this morning in FP3 where there were 11 riders in 2 tenths. That means everyone feels good, and so you have to have a good Saturday and a good Sunday, like Fabio did in Jerez and like he can do on many occasions this year. I think my riding level from 2018 would not be sufficient this year, even on the Yamaha, but to ride the Ducati well I can't just do what I did before. Otherwise, I would be too far away. »

The official Ducatis seem to be struggling with the new Michelin rear tire. Not you. Is it due to your riding style or your 2019 bike?

« Regarding the new tire on the Ducati, I stopped riding at the end of November and I was not able to test the Ducati. And when I got on it in February in Malaysia, it was already equipped with the new tire. So I discovered the Ducati with the new tire and I really can't get the slightest feeling from the old tire. For me, it was the Ducati! But from what they say, it is true that it perhaps brings the Yamaha and the Suzuki back to the top again, but for us it forces us to find better solutions to perform better. Personally, here, I think I can struggle when it comes to race pace because maybe with the new Michelin tire something is missing. But when it's new and on a single lap, it suits me well, even here in the Czech Republic, so I don't know why they struggled so much, and above all Dovizioso who is the best reference for Ducati. But I can't say that my driving style is really about managing the tire. For me it's the Ducati, and I don't know the differences between the old and new tires. »

Last year you were already on the front line with the KTM. What is the secret between you and this circuit?

« Last year, yes, it was a good qualification but in different conditions, because the track was wet and starting to dry. I still have a good feeling in these conditions with wet tires and I was able to get the first row, but that's another story. Today, pole. It's true that the Czech Republic suits me well, but maybe it's because of my girlfriend (laughs). His family in the Czech Republic is not that far away and maybe that gives me extra power. I wasn't expecting that at the start of the week, but during my trip to the parc ferme, I really thought about them and it was moving. It seems to give me some sort of extra power. That's the only reason I see why I'm good in the Czech Republic. »

Does this pole position taste different because you are part of a satellite team?

« No, it's just the taste of pole position. It's just very good. And it's even better today because it's been a long time since I had a pole position. I struggled so much that I wondered if I could get back to the top, even though I had great support from people who told me I could. But you see the other guys so fast and sometimes you go all out and you're still not there, so you wonder if you're still in the game. And today, yes! That's why it tastes really good. »

MotoGP Czech Republic Grand Prix Q2 standings:

MotoGP Czech Republic Grand Prix Q1 standings:

Photo credit and rankings: MotoGP.com