During the last French Grand Prix at Le Mans, we were able to hear the words of Eric de Seynes, theatypical but nevertheless effective boss of Yamaha Europe whose incredible journey should interest every biker… (See here).
A true motorcycle enthusiast, and a pilot himself in his spare time, his speech, full of common sense and without tongue in cheek, is a real hand extended to Johann Zarco for the future...
As a motorcycle enthusiast, and obviously very attached to Yamaha, you must have regretted Johann's choice to go to KTM...
Eric de Seynes : “It is obvious that, personally, I regret that Johann is going to another manufacturer, even if I understand his choice. I understand his choice: the seasons and career in MotoGP are relatively short, and when you have a guaranteed factory handlebar with conditions and a package as solid as that, you can't ignore it. So I understand. Now I'm keeping, and it's not just a hope, I'm keeping an eye on this contract that he signed which is for 2 years. We know that in 2 years our Factory drivers will also be at the end of their contract, and so the story is long.
For me, I have been working with Johann for 7 years, and I have always helped him, and we will continue to work together with ZF Grand Prix, with the school, because it is not because he rides KTM that I abandon Johann! They are 2 different things. As far as my responsibility is concerned, I remain loyal to Johann because I consider that he is a fantastic ambassador and that we manage to do wonderful things together. For a while, he was riding Honda engines in Moto2, and yet he was a Yamaha rider with ZF. So I try to keep things straight. Now MotoGP is at a very high level, there are a lot of variables that come into play, including financial variables. We cannot ignore that Movistar is a Spanish sponsor and that having a Spanish driver is important for a sponsor. And on an international and global level, for a Monster, having a Valentino Rossi is an audience that Johann does not yet have today. He might have it tomorrow but he doesn't have it yet.
So at times you also have to dare to look broadly. Now, I am above all happy to have a Zarco which manages to promote French motorcycling sport so well, and if it manages to do it with KTM, then so much the better for French sport, and I will be there. also happy. I would have preferred to be the brand that allows it to do so, but you have to know how to accept the vagaries and demands of racing, and that doesn't mean that it closes the doors for the whole future.
My will and my motivation remain the same. So I'm not surprised at all by what Johann Zarco has been doing for 2 seasons in Grand Prix. I pushed hard enough, even for a long time, for Tech3 to be interested in him, because at one time the interest wasn't that strong. And it doesn't matter, all the better!
We have already come a long way and I am happy to have tried to contribute to Johann's development at this level, and it is already my personal satisfaction, and I accept the situation as it is. "It's there, but that doesn't mean I'm resigned to the future."
