After distinguishing himself during the first day of the Andalusian Grand Prix, Johann zarco stalled a bit today, failing to advance to Q2 like Ducati leader Andrea Dovizioso.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the comments of the French driver who will start from the 5th row, alongside Andrea Dovizioso.
As usual, we report here the words of Johann zarco, without the slightest formatting.
Johann zarco : “It cannot be considered a negative day, because I have progressed. Less than I expected, but not because of the bike or even just me, but a lot of things have to work together and it's taking a little bit longer than I expected . But there is no stress. Like I said, it's good to repeat work on the same track to see if what we decide or what I want to see works together, and I can't say it doesn't work better. We see that everything is happening: I control the bike better and I did better in testing than last week. So all these things are positive and where we have to win is in attacking the clock compared to the others. It looks like with the new soft rear tire I can improve the time but I can't gain many tenths on a lap to be faster than the others. This is what blocked me a bit again. In Q1, I wasn't far from doing something good, but I missed a few tenths again. OK, I was disappointed immediately afterwards because I saw that my position in the standings was not going to help me for the race, but the positive is that from what I learned during the last race , I can expect a better race. For me, a better race than last week would be to grab the top 10, battle with them and see where I can finish. This is clearly the objective. Perhaps what can help me is that Dovizioso is on the same line as me. Even for him, when he struggles a little it's not so easy but I think he will be strong tomorrow and that could be a good goal to follow, and that could give me a good opportunity for the race. »
What would be a good result for tomorrow's race?
“As I said, fighting for the top 10 seems like something possible and it’s definitely something the bike can do. We had a very good feeling during the practice sessions as well as in FP2. In FP3, I was also quite consistent and also good in FP4 when everyone had worn tires. So I hope I can reach the top 10 battle, but we don't know what will happen tomorrow. So you just have to stay focused. »
What will be the most difficult during these 25 laps of racing in extreme heat?
“Regarding the heat, I was surprised this afternoon in FP4 when I left the pit lane to do my first lap. I really felt a lot of heat on the bike, also because I was riding very close to another bike. You really feel like you're burning and that's why it's better to lead the race like Fabio did (laughs). My body sweats a lot and I have to adapt, but when you follow someone you really get a burning sensation. »
How is it compared to Thailand or Malaysia?
“In Thailand, where we did tests in 2018, I already had this feeling of the air burning, because it is hot and dry. In Malaysia, it's hot but there's a lot of humidity, so you don't feel the hot air too much but your skin hurts because it's like you feel a weight on your shoulders. »
You followed Dovizioso during the tests. Were you able to learn new things?
“Above all, I was able to confirm what works, and what works very well, I clearly see that I am able to do it better and better but I need to have this reference in front of me. When I try to do it alone, it doesn't go well enough, and that's why I sometimes have trouble reaching a big milestone on the clock. But that was pretty good, starting FP4 and feeling, not easy but really in control behind him, and even being able to overtake twice. It builds performance little by little. »
So tomorrow you hang on to the back of Dovizioso and follow him quietly to the front of the race?
“In theory, that’s it (laughs)! »
Depending on what we learned from last Sunday, could the tire strategy be different?
“There are some who have asked the question about the medium because there have been some great performances with the medium. Better than last week. But this rear soft works very well and normally there is always a little less grip on Sunday. The grip always decreases a little during the race so it's always reassuring to start with the new soft. I don't think there will be any big surprises. Up front, the only change could be Viñales who puts on a hard instead of a soft. If we look at those who are on the podium, that could be the difference. »
Yesterday, you said that you had found solutions to be more comfortable on the bike during testing. Can you give us more details?
“No, because even I don’t really like knowing them myself. I really let the team do it. They make modifications based on the sensations I describe. I find that it is better not to really know what they are doing in order to remain as neutral as possible and give them good feedback. Otherwise, there is always a prejudice. But they tell me that even when driving, you can see that I’m missing miles: “ you get closer, you get closer and closer. When you compare laps, it becomes more and more beautiful, and the performance becomes more and more beautiful, but there are things that are missing”. My chief mechanic told me “ I would be more surprised if you were immediately on their level”. That doesn't mean we don't have the talent, but clearly, we have to go the miles. »
Are you tempted to take different directions in the settings?
“They are Ducati bases and for the moment I am adapting a lot to that. Here we try small modifications which are not huge. They helped me. So OK, that gives them a good zone but they always keep in mind that I could still manage to hit the riding zones that I'm missing, which will also help to avoid getting into false adjustments of the bike. If the basis (of settings) is there, we are not going to go there (to the opposite) at all. It's more to give sensation than to say that Zarco has new settings. »
Do you think Fabio Quartararo can already start aiming for the title if he is 50 points ahead of Marc Márquez at the end of this weekend or is that a lot of pressure on his shoulders?
“You catch the train, you jump on it!” Why not ? He doesn't really have the pressure yet. She goes up but the title, he thinks about it. When you start the championship with 25 points ahead, over Márquez since he is only five points ahead of Viñales, yes, there is reason to say “ why not ? ». If the pressure of the title increases, it will increase a little later, because there he is really under control and he loves Jerez: he took pole last year and I even think he did it in Moto3. He has always been very, very fast at Jerez and you see that there, it always works. Good, things are going well for him! »
What do you think will be a good result for you tomorrow?
“Playing in the 10 would be great! By starting 15th, you really have to gain five places as quickly as possible and from there, see the pace that the drivers manage to provide between 8th and 12th, or perhaps between 6th and 10th. If there's a small group like that, it would be good to be in it. »
Q2 classification of the MotoGP Andalusian Grand Prix:
Q1 classification of the MotoGP Andalusian Grand Prix:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
