The 2017 season has just ended, the 2018 season is only in its very early stages, and yet, we are already talking about 2019 behind the scenes of MotoGP. And for good reason: at the end of the next campaign, all the tenors' contracts will be up for renewal. And they will be, or not, well before this deadline. Hervé Poncharal knows this all the better because he expects his Johann zarco.
The boss of the Tech3 team is as if condemned to always live the same scenario: when a factory comes knocking on his door, it is to take away one of its pilots that he has trained and revealed. His pair Smith et Pol Espargaro evolve at KTM, Cal Crutchlow first went to Ducati where he asserted himself a little more Dovizioso. The list is not exhaustive, and it will undoubtedly be extended with another name: John Zarco.
Hervé Poncharal explain : " we know that most of the discussions about 2019 have already started. We are only a satellite structure. Even if we have a good bike, a good team, we cannot financially align with a factory to keep a rider like Johann Zarco. My entire budget is 30% lower than the salary of a top official MotoGP rider ».
« In fact, it will be difficult for us to retain Johann. Because he is clearly of interest to manufacturers to be their official driver. We will be sad to lose him, but we will understand. We are prepared for that and that is why we want to experience an incredible and emotional new year with him. If this allows him to achieve his ultimate dream, then we will have accomplished our mission. ».
On this, the Frenchman sends a message to Yamaha… “ We would have arguments to retain it if we could have a factory motorcycle. And which benefits from the same support from Yamaha as the two official machines. With three riders, you have 33% more information useful for the development of the bike. But if this is not the case, then we will help him take the last step that separates him from a factory team ».
It’s up to Yamaha to decide…
source: Motorsport
