On this Sunday, May 16, 2021, Johann zarco answered questions from journalists from the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans following the French Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French driver who currently occupies 3rd place in the championship, 12 points behind Fabio Quartararo, after leading him at the end of the two races in Qatar then dropping to 5th place.
As usual, we report here the words of Johann zarco without the slightest formatting.
This podium must make you happy, not only because of the racing conditions, but also because you didn't get a very good start...
Johann zarco : " Yes ! A bad start and I also had to avoid Franco (Morbidelli) who had some problems on the bike. So I widened in the first corner, and arrived at the chicane, I really lost a lot of positions. After only one lap, when the rain came, no one stopped so I stayed in the race with them. Then, on the second lap, there was a lot more rain and the first objective was to reach the pitlane without falling. I did that, then I went out on wet tires in 5th position, so it was good but there was a lot of rain and also a strong wind. We had had some wind all weekend, but not in that direction, and not as strong, so some references on the track were different, and my medium rear tire took three or four laps to get ready. I think if I had to think about the victory, I would say that I lost too much time during those four laps, I lost too many seconds there. But to be disappointed to have missed the victory would be to think in the wrong way, so I am very happy to be second because when the track dried up a little and the rear tire became more and more comfortable to use, I had fun on the bike, and it was good to catch up with the guys up front. After overtaking Nakagami, I could see Fabio: He was far away but I knew I could catch up with him. And after Fabio, Jack was also very far away. I thought maybe I could win, but like I said, there wasn't enough time and I'm very happy with the 20 points today. »
How positive is it to be back at the front after the crash in Portugal and the not entirely satisfactory weekend in Jerez?
« It's perfect ! When you lead the championship after the first two races in Qatar, you believe in your chances of fighting for the title. I think I have enough experience. I can have even more experience on the Ducati because there are perhaps a few little things missing to be really comfortable on the Ducati, but the bike is ready, the team is ready, and I would say that I can be ready. You just have to control the Ducati more and more. So if it happens quickly enough during the season, I have a good chance for the title, and so to score 20 points today is really good. It's true that I made a mistake in Portimao but when you don't feel perfectly good, like in Jerez, it was important to take these 8 points. This is why we need to control the situation. I feel that the Ducati has great potential, and I have been saying this for many months, almost a year now. And to do first and second in Jerez, then first and second here, it's really good for us, for all of Ducati, and it gives a perfect state of mind for all the mechanics and for all the riders, and I think that that will give us strength for the next races. »
Have you used your Start Device and could this explain your average start?
« I haven't used all of the Ducati's Start Devices. I thought about doing it or not, but during the warm-up lap I saw that I had to lean a lot in the first corner and I didn't want to be too embarrassed. So maybe that's a reason, but also when I was full throttle picking up speed in second and third, I had Morbidelli in front of me and I don't know what happened but his bike made big moves. So I had to close the throttle and go left, and I think I really lost positions. So I widened and then the chicane was very complicated. So all of that put together is why I lost positions, but I would say it was closing the throttle to avoid Franco that cost me the most. »
Why did you choose these rain tires, and what effect did it have?
« It was like last year. In drying conditions, the two medium rear tires are the ones that give you the best consistency to be fast and think about victory. Last year, the choice was good but we had a little too much rain during the race and the track dried too late. Today was a bit of the same thing as my rear tire took four laps to get ready. To choose this tire combination we look at the wind, we look at the clouds, it can rain but it can dry very quickly, so we just keep this map in case it dries quickly to have better consistency. Finally, today, the consistency was not bad. »
We know that Fabio's pace is very high in the dry, and he is now much better in the wet. Does this worry you for the championship?
« Today we were lucky to have rain because Fabio was ready to escape. It's true that his pace has improved a lot in the wet and he was very impressive today. But when you're fighting for the world title, you have to be good everywhere. So today the progress he has made is very important for him, but his opponents, Jack, Pecco and I, must be ready to fight against boys who can be good in all conditions. We scored a lot of points in five races and I think we can have more chances to win in the dry or fight against Fabio in the next two races, because he will have some advantages but we will have others. That’s the good side of playing for the championship! »
This is the second time you've shared the podium with Fabio, but what's it like to do it in France?
« Sharing the podium with Fabio was really good but I would say it tasted better in Qatar because we were able to sing. But we are happy because in Qatar he won the race but I was second and I took command of the championship, and today we switched: I finished in front of him and he took the lead of the championship. So I think we have the same happiness because for my part I go from fifth to third. All these moves are perfect. It's true that it's good, even during interviews and in particular with Canal+, because they push us to do well, and that's the best response we can give. »
Do you think it is possible to use a strategy between the riders so that a Ducati rider wins the title?
« It is too early to tell. I think with the good relationship we all have together, Pecco, Jack and I, if someone really has a chance and another Ducati rider fights with Fabio, maybe we can think about it. But these kinds of thoughts will only happen in the last two races, maximum, because from now on a lot of things can happen. For the moment I think it is better to see the game with three Ducatis in front: If we can manage this way, it will be even better. »
Do you enjoy the flag to flag races?
« When circumstances work in your favor, you love them! But it's really stressful to think about when it's time (to change bikes). When the rain started I was behind the guys and no one stopped. That's why I didn't stop, because I wanted to stay in the game. But maybe stopping a lap earlier would have made a big difference. And it makes you sad if you see someone do it and then win the race when you are very far away. A flag to flag race stresses you out for this reason, as there can be a huge difference in results in the end. Today things went well for me, and for me that it dried at the end with the wet tires was also very good to regain positions without too much risk. »
Standings for the French MotoGP Grand Prix at Le Mans:
Credit rankings and photo: MotoGP.com
