Johann Zarco surprised his world, to say the least, by deciding for a Honda in 2024 and beyond, rather than renewing with Ducati for one more year and a subsequent career as an official. of the brand in WSBK. A last option which was part of a possible path to glory whereas in the current state of things, taking the direction of the Japanese brand is certainly entering a tunnel where we cannot yet see the light of an exit towards which we will still hope to head by rowing in a galley... Enough to prepare for complicated days. But the Frenchman responds with determination: not even afraid!
Johann zarco therefore decided to abandon a winning Italian motorcycle, for a Japanese bike which only offers two perspectives to its current riders: the infirmary or the retirement home. The French of 33 years knows this and moreover, he specifies with humor that from now on, he will carefully avoid his colleagues assigned to RC213V... " I think it's better not to talk to them » he commented on speedweek. And he adds: “ it's not a crazy project. I believe Honda has the power to perform again. They are not going to give up. And I think the KTM experience was good because the KTM also became a different bike from 2019 to 2020, when I left. Now almost everyone wants to leave Honda, so maybe 2024 and 2025 will be the right time ».
« I am happy to secure a little for the future and take on this challenge with Lucio. We met four years ago and At the time I had good feelings about the Honda. That's why I'm not afraid ". And as he mentioned his previous experience KTM, He specifies : " I am better prepared than in the past. I am much more mature and I believe I can handle difficult situations, but I am also ready to face good situations as soon as they arise ».
Johann Zarco: “ compared to Alex Rins, I have a different character and also a different way of working »
He recognizes that with KTM, he played the move badly: “ I couldn't keep my nerves under control during my time at KTM, but before that I had only gained experience with Yamaha ". Since then, he has matured a lot: “ my riding style has changed a lot in recent years with Ducati. My natural riding style was on the Yamaha, but I can't ride like that anymore. I'm changing things and I'm much more aware of what's happening on the bike now. Of course I prefer to win, but I also like to analyze a lot of things and understand better what other drivers are doing and what we can do. I'm still very competitive, so it’s a good time to try.”
And then there’s also this: “ a two-year contract will relieve me of some of the stress and burden ". Certainly, but before him, he has the unencouraging example of a alex rins who, despite all his talent, and the fact that he won a Grand Prix this year with this rebellious Honda, did not feel the slightest consideration towards him from the HRC. However, this consideration is important for Johann zarco who regretted not having really noticed it in Ducati, which encouraged his departure to LCR, a satellite team that Honda does not seem to value more...
There is therefore a risk and Kidneys is a concrete case. But the tricolor remains calm: “ compared to him, I have a different character and also a different way of working. I think I have more options when it comes to riding. From 2017 to 2022 he rode Suzuki for six years, so I imagine this Honda and V4 decision was a big shock for him. I already know that and I think I would react differently. We don't have the same character and we don't have the same experience he concludes.
