Five races took place in this 2021 MotoGP season, and in the championship we see that the first four in the general classification are only separated by 16 points. A hierarchy which also reveals a certain physiognomy. So Yamaha factory rider Fabio Quartararo leads a Ducati trio of Pecco Bagnaia, Johann Zarco and Jack Miller. Hence this question which is beginning to arise: will the competing Ducati riders be forced at a key moment in this campaign to renounce their personal ambition to form sacred union against the official Yamaha? Johann Zarco responds…
At Ducati, we can feel legitimately strong in this 2021 season. Never, in fact, has his bike been so homogeneous. No route seems to intimidate him anymore. Better, it is strong with all its drivers. Including the rookies, who, however, ride on a GP19 version less advanced than that of the officials and the Pramac flock that are zarco and the wounded Jorge Martin, who should return to Mugello.
At this stage of the campaign, we certainly note 3 victories for Yamaha in the first three races, but we also note that 9 podiums out of 15 available and two victories with a double at Jerez and at Le Mans are the prerogative of Ducati. The most significant thing is that the Ducati is strong even on tracks that have always been difficult for it. An improvement all the more appreciated at Borgo Panigale as it validates the risk taken at the end of last season to renew its drivers team, drawing a line under Andrea Dovizioso et Danilo Petrucci.
The only drivers title in MotoGP dates back to 2007, when a phenomenon called Casey Stoner climbed into the saddle, while in 2020, thanks to good results but also to the downgrading of Yamaha , the constructors' title has arrived.
Now, there are favorable avenues on the horizon, like the Mugello and theAustria, which will also be served on two occasions since the cancellation of Finland. Ducati is “scary”, a feeling confirmed by rivals: “chis year, the Ducati is very strong, especially the officials, who are in great shape ", said Valentino Rossi, which is thus taken over by the reigning champion Joan mir : " this year all the Ducatis are doing well, it will be difficult to beat them ».
Ducati has three riders battling one Yamaha rider
Yes but it's still a pilot Yamaha who is at the head of championnat. And at Le Mans, he seemed to have reached a milestone. We will indeed recall that last year, Quartararo started from pole position before disappearing down to ninth place under the raindrops. This year, he gave another version of himself in the same Dantesque conditions at Le Mans. The teammate of Casa Particular in Viñales seems more solid. Which raises the question of sharing points within the clan Ducati, facing a competitor who this time promises to be able to attend all meetings and in all conditions.
A subject which thus inspired his compatriot John Zarco, which does not hide its title ambition, even while evolving under the Pramac satellite colors:: “ we were lucky that the rain came. Because Fabio would have been ready to leave us behind » he recalls about the French Grand Prix. “ It's true, his pace in the wet has improved. He was impressive. But if you're fighting for a world title, you have to be good everywhere », Underlined the double Moto2 champion, referring to the world championship ranking. “ The step that Fabio took on Sunday is quite important for him. As opponents, we, Jack, me and Pecco, have to be ready to fight against guys who are strong in all conditions ».
zarco sees Ducati in a good position in the fight for the championship: “ we scored a lot of points in the five races and I think in the next two races we will have a better chance to win in the dry or fight Fabio ". Yes, but having three drivers against one also means a sharing of points. For Ducati, wouldn't it be better to bet on one and integrate the other two into a team strategy? “ It's too early to say that " answers zarco.
He finishes : " I think with the good relationship that Pecco, Jack and I have... If one of us really has a chance and the opponent is a rider like Fabio fighting a Ducati rider, then maybe we can think it. But this thought will not arise until the last or at most the last two races. Because so many things can happen until then. At the moment it is better to see the game in such a way that we have three Ducatis at the top. If we can do that it would be even better ».
