MotoGP, Jerez Test, Johann Zarco (Honda/20): "there is nothing positive to get from this bike, we have to abandon it"

After a disappointing test session in Jerez, Johann Zarco joined Joan Mir and Luca Marini to criticize the current Honda motorcycle concept. Zarco has expressed his dissatisfaction following the test of the RC213V driven by Stefan Bradl at the Spanish Grand Prix, a model expected to provide solutions to the team's ongoing difficulties.

« I tested the bike Bradl rode this weekend, and honestly, there's nothing positive to come from it. She may have a minor advantage somewhere, but the lap times aren't keeping up. It's not a bike with which you can say 'ok, we've made progress', " said Johann zarco, clearly frustrated, after finishing 20th in practice.

The French pilot nevertheless underlined the importance of the data collected during these tests. “ At least we have collected a lot of information, which is crucial for understand the direction to take. Finding a balance with this bike is very difficult,” he added, still hoping for improvement.

The disappointment was palpable among Honda LCR, as pointed out zarco : " I expected to take a step forward with this bike, but it's not dramatic. At least I recognize that I made progress this past weekend, which brings me a little closer to our competitors with the current equipment. Now my focus is on Le Mans."

**Johann Zarco: “ It’s clear that this new bike isn’t taking us anywhere. »**

As for the future of development at Honda, Johann zarco was categorical: “ this bike is not the right direction. If it is supposed to offer certain characteristics and, despite many changes, she doesn't bring them, it's time to give it up."

He also shared technical details: “ We tried modifications to the engine, but nothing revolutionary. At Honda, the work is intense and although the results are slow to appear, I'm sure we'll find the right path eventually. That said, we need more to solve critical problems, especially in fast corners and exiting corners."

zarco, lucid about its role and its limits, concluded: “ It's not my place to tell Honda how to conduct the tests, but it's clear that this new bike isn't taking us anywhere. We, the drivers, all had bad feelings. I imagine the testing team will stop working on this concept."