Johann Zarco says he sees the likely arrival of Diogo Moreira alongside him at LCR as a positive development, both for himself and for Honda.
The final pieces of the puzzle are falling into place at Honda. Yesterday, the Japanese manufacturer reconfirmed Luca Marini as part of its official team, and Johann zarco in the LCR team. Number 5 has thus resigned for two years, while Joan Mir was not worried about having a contract for next year. Only the second LCR handlebar has not yet been officially confirmed.
Everything suggests that Somkiat Chantra will be dismissed after an extremely complicated first season. The Thai driver failed to fully adapt to the premier class and, despite scoring a point at Assen, has since been sidelined with a knee injury. His lack of performance, combined with his absence, has left Honda in a difficult position with the information of a rider missing.
The manufacturer's gaze is rather turned towards Diogo Moreira, currently third in the Moto2 Championship, and still in contention for the title with only 31 points behind the leader. In addition to his performance on track, he has the advantage of being Brazilian, an important point in view of the arrival of the Brazilian Grand Prix on the calendar next year. His confirmation within the LCR team, although rumored, has not yet been confirmed.
If the young Brazilian joined zarco At LCR, the latter would see real competition coming, but confided that he saw positive things in it, both for himself and for Honda. "I think that Moreira, in relation to everything he has been able to do on the side and his experience, may have more possibilities of adapting well to the bike and therefore already become a candidate to challenge me. And it pulls you up when someone challenges you.", he confided during the Hungarian GP.
"But it really doesn't change the work within Honda. Afterwards, it can perhaps help Honda more to have a slightly different feedback from the experience of a guy who has ridden with Pirelli, who is good in Moto2. And, if he pushes the bike properly to its limit, he can have additional feedback for Honda, better than what Somkiat can ultimately provide at the moment."
