On this Friday August 6, 2021, John Zarco answered questions from journalists from the Red Bull Ring circuit, at the end of the first day of the Styrian Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French driver who still occupies second place in the championship, 34 points behind fabio quartararo.
As usual, we report here the words of John Zarco without the slightest formatting (vouvoiement for questions in English and informality for possible questions in French).
Johann zarco : " A good day ! I don't have much to say in particular but I'm very happy that the feeling is obviously much better than last year. It's simply proof of all the progress we've made since the start of this season. Its very important. We are quite competitive and we still have room to improve, which is always very good for a first day. This afternoon, the rain was also interesting because it allowed us to play a little more with our bike and get a different feeling. It is also a difficult track where you can work well on braking, even in the rain, but it is not easy because you sometimes have lockups and falls when you are still straight. Because of that, I still need a little time to really feel things, but overall it was a good day. »
This circuit is supposed to be a Ducati track but it seems like it's much more balanced than that...
« Everyone expected and said that it was a track for the Ducati but it has been several years now that Marc is always fighting for victory in the last corner, or even last year when the Suzukis were strong, like today where they rode very well. So yes, it's a kind of balance but for me it's still a track where we feel better than at Assen. So it's better for us but that doesn't mean it's easy. It's better compared to Assen, but the others also have some very positive points. I think it was Rins who did the best second sector this morning, and it's a braking and accelerating sector, which means they manage it very well too. But I think if we improve a little bit in braking, I will be very, very competitive. »
How is the grip in the wet, compared to previous years?
« Yes it's better. Like I said, I was a little worried when braking straight on but it seems pretty OK. The track was quite hot and that helps a lot for the tires to have grip. Normally the track needs a little time to get grip in the wet, but here it was quicker than I expected. »
There were two sessions, in the dry, the other in the wet. Which one were you most comfortable in and can you develop that grip thing in the wet?
« It was wet enough to understand the situation well. Towards the end it dried up, so as usual I felt comfortable in these conditions. I have a chance of doing well in both conditions, wet or dry, but I have room for improvement in both conditions. I've asked the team and hope to have something more tomorrow. But I would say that it is easier to progress in the dry because in the wet there is always the part of the driver who takes more risks or not. By simply doing this you get a good lap time in the wet. But in both situations I need more feeling and maybe the long braking is why I need some time. But thanks to the track here, we're in the game. »
You say that you need to improve braking: Is it a question of adjustments or braking points?
“It goes together!” They are both. I think if we make a few small changes to the bike I will have the feeling and then I can put into practice what I need to do. »
It is said that this track can be very dangerous, especially in the rain, but we are expecting heavy rain on Sunday... Will it still be OK for you?
« Yes, it will be OK because you need to concentrate and try your best to play with the risks and not overdo it. It's always the same game and it's not easy. What is important is that if the race starts in the rain without testing in the same conditions, it could have been very tricky. This afternoon we had six or seven laps on completely wet, and that already gives you feedback. That way, if it's dry tomorrow and it rains on Sunday, I think we'll be safer. »
At the beginning of July, you said that the break would help you come back even stronger. Is this true today?
« Not necessarily ! I'm good but not stronger. This is why we still need to progress on the bike and have more feeling. I repeat this a lot but I put myself in a condition to be able to face the second part, and that is not yet true today. I do not agree. »
What makes braking so difficult on this circuit: The height difference or the asphalt?
« It's in the right braking. There are two on big climbs and one on big descents, and that's where, if you brake hard, you can really lock the wheel. I can't tell you if it's because of the relief or if it's because there is a lack of grip there. I don't know but I think that's what makes us a little on eggshells, because afterwards, for the rest of the track, when we start turn 4 and we do 5, 6 , 7, 8, I think it sticks well. So it's more in very straight braking, for which you have to brake hard, in which your wheel can lock up if you have the reflex to brake as hard as in the dry. This is what makes us hesitant. »
No bad flash when you arrive at turn #2?
« No, because my bike is much more stable than last year at this place, and it immediately did me good to see that my bike is much better balanced, me better prepared, and I approach the bend with tranquility. How are you. »
Styrian Grand Prix MotoGP FP2 Standings at Red Bull Ring:
Combined FP1/FP2 standings for the MotoGP Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
