MotoGP Misano J1 Johann Zarco (Ducati/4): Small fall and fourth time, first day of ups and downs…

Tenth this morning in the first free practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix, 0,686 seconds behind leader Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco was able to increase the pace this afternoon by placing fourth, 0,320 seconds behind Enea Bastianini. 

The French rider benefited from a general improvement in the Ducatis, since there were four Desmosedici in the first four places.

However, in front of the French journalists, the Pramac pilot did not jump for joy and analyzed this first day by describing it as a little difficult...

Johann zarco : " It was a bit of a difficult first day. Conditions ? After the rain, the track was not optimal, and after a big circuit like Silverstone, and even Spielberg which is a fairly fast circuit, the behavior of the bike here in Misano was quite difficult because the bike was moving a lot. Probably because it's a fairly bumpy track, but as a result you feel the power of the bike even more and that creates even more problems. So, it was a bit difficult and in the afternoon there was a small fall because of all the movements on the bike. When trying to go beyond that, there was a fall, but I was able to keep calm and from there I changed things a little in my riding to compensate for all these movements. It worked and then allowed me, with the soft tire, to set a good time. Still in the event of bad conditions the next day, this ensures a Q2, and in the event of good conditions, this allows you to know that there is potential to go fast. But I absolutely have to be more comfortable, because the consistency, for the moment, but not there. »

How do you compensate with your driving?
« There, it was necessary to use the rear brake more than usual. It's good not to use it too much to leave the bike rather free in these movements, but there, in fact, we had to compensate a lot with the rear brake, which is not good, because if the tire wears out, it no longer works. But there, with a new tire it works and therefore it gives good indications on perhaps what to try. »

Was surprised by Fabio and the Aprilia in FP1?
« Not surprised by Fabio, because really like all the Ducatis were in difficulty with fairly precarious grip, he who is much more consistent was able to find good marks and was ultimately the fastest. But the Aprilia also behaves well like that, and having seen little improvement with the soft tire, that means that they were already very good with the medium tire. For us, it did the opposite. »

After a fall, skiers have difficulty getting back into the swing of things. On a motorcycle, getting fourth after a fall is a big performance: What happens in between, between failure and success behind?
« On marche par coup d’adrénaline. Ça permet déjà d’avoir une notion de “qu’est-ce qui n’a pas été bon ? Pourquoi j’ai chuté ?” et de comprendre. Mais surtout avec ce style de chute, il y a une petite appréhension dans le premier virage, mais ça peut presque apporter plus de sensations : Au moins, on sait qu’on ne va pas refaire ça et on va essayer de prendre le virage autrement. Pour ma part, je sais qu’en pleine séance comme ça, parfois ça met une sorte de décharge d’adrénaline, et ensuite il y a un extra d’agressivité qui vient en plus. Pour contrôler des machines comme ça, ça sert.. Mais je me dis qu’en ski, il doit aussi y avoir un peu plus d’agressivité, mais peut-être qu’on ne remonte pas sur les circuits aussi vite. Comme ce n’est qu’une seule descente est qu’il n’y a pas de répétition avec plusieurs tours, c’est ça qui fait la différence. »

 

In F1, we see some drivers listening to music to concentrate. What are your methods for entering the race or the tests?
« Experience means that sometimes we need a little music: It's good to calm down, especially before the race. But there, between two sessions, in addition to having a treatment with the physiotherapist and going to close my eyes for a quarter of an hour in my room, then back in my truck to do a little reflex exercise to be ready to be dynamic and get out on the track, everything goes quickly. The experience allows us to be calmer, but yes, music can help. It depends on the moment. »

 

MotoGP Misano FP2: times 

Credit classification motogp.com