On this Saturday March 27, 2021, Johann zarco answered questions from journalists from the Losail circuit at the end of the second day of testing for the Qatar Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French pilot.
As usual, we report here the words of Johann zarco without the slightest formatting.
Johann zarco : " The evening was good. FP4 was very interesting and I immediately got good times. Then I had a rhythm that I think was interesting: I was able to follow the good drivers and see that I was comfortable following them. So it's a chance for tomorrow to control the tires over the entire race distance. Starting from sixth position on the second row, I think it's a good place. With a good start, I can be quite fast during the first five or seven laps, then when everyone gets into their rhythm, we will see how we can use our strong point which is the engine. There will also be the three Yamahas which have different strengths, and that is why it will be very interesting, but I think we have a chance to perform well, because, compared to last year, I have a lot more possibilities to save the tire. »
Johann, you reached a fantastic speed, but honestly, was it because you braked too late or because you had good aspiration?
« Both ! The suction will slow down later. You have to do both things together. We thought reaching 360 was possible but I didn't expect to do 362, so I'm happy with that because it's always a special moment. But I saw that even if I brake very early, I think I have a good opportunity during the race, which I never had before, to see how I can control this speed in the straight to stay easily behind the other drivers. It is the objective. »
You say that it is more possible for you to preserve the tire. How is it possible ?
« What I'm saying is that when I'm someone with race pace, from what I've seen in FP4, I don't need to be more than 100%. Last year, you had to be there and give your best, just to keep up, and so I was tired in addition to damaging the tire too much. Now, when I push at the limit, it's to be very fast, but if I'm a little slower, everything immediately becomes easier. This is what I was looking for and it seems to be coming. »
Between the second row and the speed record, was the day perfect for you?
« Yes, a second line is very important. We always wish for a little better, even if I beat my personal best time-wise. But there are only positives. Afterwards, if we want to continue to progress, it's good to have Bagnaia who sets the track record with an exceptional time. The bike has the potential and when you can use it for at least one lap, you can do great things. So I'm on my way and I'm happy for that. »
To reach this speed, do you have to tighten the handlebars or your buttocks?
« It's hard to say: Maybe you have to do both! More seriously, you have to look far ahead to fully anticipate what could happen. »
We all remember your debut here with the Yamaha Tech3 and we know that it's a circuit that you like. And the Ducati is perfect here. What is Johann Zarco still missing today on the Ducati for it to really match up really, really well?
« I think he still lacks the confidence to swing the bike where it's needed when it's needed. A confidence that goes with the feeling. This feeling progresses but when I try to cross limits I still have to go through “I’m going there but will it pass?” ". Almost the “make or break” feeling when you exceed limits. And I can't do it all the time, because otherwise I'll fall a lot more often. So that's it, really the feeling of steering your bike well and then using that power between each turn. Pecco does, but not all the time. But when he does it, it makes for some great times! That’s it: Confidence–feeling. »
Bagnaia also comes from Moto2 and you had a kind of fluidity in common. Do you still need to improve your driving?
« In Moto2, he didn't ride the same: He had a lot more feeling on the front and he used the front a lot more than me, with different trajectories in Moto2. At least that's what I analyzed when I saw him win races. And after that he only rode Ducati, so I think it's because of that. »
We saw you with a fairing that has a slightly different air intake. Did you feel a difference?
« I had already tried it during the test and I was the rider who felt the least difference on this fairing. But as there have been a lot of positive comments from the other two official drivers, I benefit from it. In fact, it didn't make me drive slower but I was having trouble really being clear about my comment, so I said to myself "you're already not driving slower, so let's put it in". »
Ranking for qualifying 2 of the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix at Losail:
Ranking for qualifying 1 of the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix at Losail:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
