On this Sunday, April 4, 2021, Johann zarco answered questions from journalists from the Losail circuit at the conclusion of the Doha Grand Prix.
The conference brought together Fabio Quartararo, Johann zarco, and Jorge Martin.
As usual, we report here the words of Johann zarco without the slightest formatting.
Congratulations Johann! You are the leader of the world championship and you finished second today. Tell us about your race…
Johann zarco : " Before leaving, I asked myself how I would manage. We know that the Ducatis are off to a very strong start, but who will lead the race? With Jorge leading the race, I was expecting maybe a slower pace than last week because he's a rookie and maybe he would have been stressed or something else. But in the end, we were even faster because, compared to Pecco, he continued to run in 55 after halfway. But I was happy with that because I felt good behind him, and every time someone overtook me I was able to get back to second thanks to the engine. For me it was the perfect race compared to last week, having that control and keeping energy to have a chance to maybe fight for the victory at the end of the race. There, I was able to think a little more about victory because when Fabio arrived, three or four laps from the end, I felt very good about it and I think the tire was not bad to have a chance For victory. But when he overtook Jorge and immediately created this gap, I also wanted to overtake but Jorge was going a little too fast. It was difficult to overtake him. I then did my best to find the right place, and during the last laps I had to keep the guys behind me because I knew there were a lot of people behind me. I didn't want to lose the podium and at the same time I had to overtake Jorge. I got through turn 15 perfectly and took second place at turn 16. So it was just perfect. As for leading the championship, I didn't expect it when I arrived here 35 days ago. I just came for the test, to be focused, do a good job and continue learning the Ducati. I now lead the championship but I feel that I still have things to control better to feel more comfortable and have more options during the race. If I can continue to progress in this area and use the true potential of the Ducati even on other circuits, then I could also benefit from other tracks. »
“Leading the championship, I didn’t expect this!” – @JohannZarco1 🎙️
Not a bad month in Qatar for the @pramacracing ride! 😎#DohaGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/KQagmdpwpQ
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 4, 2021
After more difficult times recently, you seem to be flourishing in the Pramac team and are as happy with your team as on the track. Tell us…
« Being happy is part of a man's balance (laughs). As a human being, you have to be like that. Clearly, it's sometimes not easy to have this feeling in life but currently, it's going well. And the team promotes that because, like I say, you can take a coffee break and have fun, but then they work really well and you get along well. Plus Ducati which gives the good bike. So this Latin atmosphere, and as I am very comfortable with Italian, suits me well, and when everything comes together the objective is to be at the top, where we are currently. So we must continue to live in this moment. »
The Pramac team beats the factory team again. What does that say about you and the factory team?
« To explain why we were ahead of the factory riders today, we are lucky at Pramac to have the same bikes as the factory team with perhaps a little less pressure than for the factory riders. factory. This helps us to sometimes have this mental surplus, like for the pole position that Jorge did yesterday and the great race that we did together today. So I think that's why because in the end we can't say that they had a bad race. When you see the first 15 guys are within eight seconds, none of his 15 guys had a bad race, because it's very close. So it's just a good time to enjoy now. That's all, I don't see any problem. »
We saw you at your lowest point two years ago with another factory. Can we consider that today is a sort of redemption compared to the last two years?
« What happened two years ago is part of life I made decisions. I am very happy now to be back in the leading group. I really enjoyed the first two races because I had a lot of fun and I had a very good feeling to control them. So I don't think this is the time to think about some kind of redemption. You just have to live in the moment, and right now it's Pramac and Ducati. What I decided two years ago has happened, so I'm happy. I can't say if I made a good decision or not, I made a decision and then I followed my path, and thanks to Ducati I am here. »
What was it like to fight against a Frenchman? (Fabio Quartararo replied before here)
« It's true. We spoke with Claude to find out what could happen if we were both in the last corner, and I think I said I wouldn't take the risk because I would wait for the straight (smile). But that didn't happen and clearly, Fabio winning the race and me finishing second gives me the same happiness. That's why I really sang at the top of my lungs (on the podium) because we had to realize how phenomenal what we did today was for French motorcycling. We had to appreciate it and we really did. He said it was maybe one of the best moments of his career, and I didn't realize it that way, but it's true that it's one of the best, maybe. being with the world titles a few years ago. But this moment was unique. »
The last time two French people were on the podium in the premier category was in 1954 with Pierre Monneret and Jacques Collot who finished first and third. Do you know these names and how does it feel to finish first and second?
« I like the history of motorcycles but it's true that the 50s are really far away. Monneret is a famous name in France, since his son (his half brother) later worked for television and still gives flying lessons in the south of France. So yes, the name Monneret is famous for French drivers, but we did even better today, and first and second is just perfect for the story. »
Are you surprised by Jorge Martin's performance?
« I was impressed by his pole position. The lap he did, first of all he did it alone so it was great, and I think it gave him good confidence for the race. I think Fabio and I, as rookies, we did good things, very good things. When you see a rookie in this position, you are surprised, but since it was my teammate I was also very happy that it was him. I wasn't nervous thinking 'he's my teammate and maybe he's faster than me.' He’s leading the race and I’m stressed.” No ! I really stayed calm and I was happy that he could have this really big pace because that was also an advantage for me. What he did, we can't say that he did it thanks to his experience since it's only his second race, but he did it thanks to his feeling, and it was good today . So it's very impressive. »
Doha MotoGP Grand Prix standings:
Credit rankings and photo: MotoGP.com
