The interview given by Hervé Poncharal to speedweek is sufficient in itself.
We nevertheless checked with the person concerned that the written comments corresponded to his answers, which is the case, even if he specifies that this interview took place about ten days ago now and that, today Today, no track is more favored than another… with the exception of Yamaha! And this, despite the insistence of the German journalist wishing to favor the KTM track for 2019!
Hervé, you will already have discussions with Yamaha during the Sepang test at the end of January about a new two-year contract. As you have to make a plan B, could this be related to KTM?
“Hm, I've already mentioned it several times: I have a lot of respect for Mr. Pierer. I like entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs with visions. I take my hat off to people like Mr Mateschitz and Mr Pierer. Hat ! Amazing ! What KTM showed on the tracks in 2017 was awesome.
But for now, it's up to Yamaha to decide what they want to do. I will compete in my 20th season with Yamaha in 2018. I have planned a meeting with them in Sepang. Since then, discussions have been open.
I have the impression that Valentino will not have a MotoGP team yet in 2019. Furthermore, my impression is growing that Yamaha wants to keep us. The priority for me is therefore to wait and hear what proposal Yamaha will make to us. The situation can change quickly.
Until now we have always had the machines from the previous year. I will speak to Yamaha about this. As Crutchlow now has an HRC contract, he gets great support from Honda, and it's similar with Danilo Petrucci at Ducati. We're now in the middle of a two-year contract, so we can't really change anything in terms of the hardware planned for my drivers. But I want to talk to Yamaha about it. We will know a lot more about Yamaha's future plans for Tech3 before the first race in Qatar. Because even at Yamaha, there will be some changes.
I will listen to what they can offer and how they want to see the next partnership with us. If we are satisfied with the offer, we will sign it. If we are not happy, we will continue to negotiate and open our eyes and ears to find out what is happening elsewhere in the world. »
If Yamaha wants to keep Johann Zarco for the long term, they should give him a factory bike as soon as possible, ideally already for 2018…
“Ha, ha, you don’t need to convince me of this idea, certainly not. You have to convince the boss of the Yamaha race, Tsuji. »
Yamaha's Lin Jarvis says the ideal number of MotoGP riders is four. But Yamaha has also already equipped a second satellite team in 2014 and 2015, Forward Racing…
" Yes. This is something we need to discuss. In the past I have often heard from Yamaha that four bikes are the maximum. But during the last GP weekend in Valencia, I spoke to Yamaha a lot. Then I heard, “Well, well, maybe six might be possible.” It is unlikely, but not impossible, that Yamaha will equip six riders if there is strong interest from Valentino and Tech3 in the future. Because Ducati is a much smaller factory, and they have eight bikes on the lot. There were even times when Yamaha had seven or eight machines on the field. The factory team, WCM, D'Antin and Tech3. Well, it was in the transition from 500cc to MotoGP. But in MotoGP they have already had six machines for two years. »
You have now very briefly skirted the answer to the KTM question. KTM wants a customer team in 2019, Tech3 and Marc VDS are the logical partners. If Yamaha didn't deliver for 2019, would KTM be the first point of contact?
“As I said, the priority is to talk to Yamaha and listen to them. If they give me a reasonable deal and we're happy, we'll sign. If there is a big gap between what we expect and what they can give us, then I will open my eyes and ears and look around the world.
Of course, you should keep your options open. But if you want to start a collaboration with a partner, the interest must be mutual. If you want to marry Miss World tomorrow and your advances are not reciprocated, then nothing will come of it. »
You have an advantage with the boss of KTM, Stefan Pierer, who appreciates Johann Zarco…
“Yes, but I am not in possession of Johann Zarco. His contract with me expires after the 2018 season. At the moment I don't know what I can offer Johann Zarco for 2018. I would like to continue with Yamaha. But everything is possible. »
