By finishing this MotoGP test at Sepang, Johann Zarco also concludes his ninth day of testing with the KTM RC16, which allows him to draw up a real assessment, while taking into account how much things have evolved since the IRTA test at Valence.
Valencia where the KTM rider finished the tests in 21st position, 1,752 seconds behind the fastest, and 0,9 seconds behind his teammate.
There is obviously still a lot of work to be done, and in all areas, as evidenced by his 17th place in the combined ranking of the 3 days in Malaysia, 1,401 seconds behind Danilo Petrucci, but reasons for satisfaction are also present, starting by the gap with his teammate which was reduced to nothing.
The French driver therefore drew a realistic but positive assessment when speaking to the press at the end of this last day of testing at Sepang.
Johann zarco: “Now the KTM is much better, it’s easier to ride. We had a good time, even if the Ducati set the bar very high. We did a good job. During these five days of testing, I gave very clear and precise instructions. We have constantly improved, and now I can push to set certain times. we are constantly evolving and it is normal that KTM, which has little experience in MotoGP, even forces the official riders to try a lot of equipment. Our biggest limitation is cornering and accelerating, but that's not just down to the engine, but also the electronics and the chassis, as we need more grip. I can't say how long it will take to be competitive. Certainly not 3 or 4 months, but much more.”
With the delay shrinking, are you relieved?
" Yes exactly. I was able to do a lot of laps in less than two minutes. I tried to do a little 1'59, but I didn't succeed. This is not possible at the moment. When I saw that six drivers were running under 1'59, I thought that I wouldn't be able to get into the leading group quickly. But I shouldn't think like that. I have to think positively and keep in mind that we have improved, although there is still a lot of work to do.
I'm really happy because everything we've done is going in the right direction. All my comments were very very clear during this test. I was able to compare my performance with others. This made it even clearer to me what we were missing. I am satisfied with this Sepang test.”
What is missing ?
“The area where improvements will be most difficult to achieve is traction out of corners. It's not about the grip, the power or the electronics. It's a mixture of everything. All the factories we are fighting have had these problems. It took them many years to resolve these issues. We don't have much time, we have to do it faster. As quickly as possible! I think it will take more than three or four months to see progress. But it's hard to say. But I hope that this year we will collect a lot of technical information that will help us next year. We must not lose sight of our objective.”
What is the engine missing? More power down below?
“We must progress everywhere. If you look at the Ducati's times in the last sector here, you will notice that our engine needs to improve everywhere: bottom, middle and high revs. Everywhere ! ".
You have now tested the KTM on three circuits: Valencia, Jerez, Sepang. Which was the most difficult?
“The first tests at Jerez were the most difficult. Everything was new. I fell twice. That's why I was disappointed. But that's normal. It was the first contact.”
Did you speak to Dani Pedrosa after his first KTM test?
“No, I only heard his statements to the team. Now he is injured and needs to get back into shape. But Dani will be able to help us a lot. He will be able to tell us what we need to do to improve motor skills. He has so much more experience than me! This is why he will be able to tell if we need to make a modification in the engine or in the electronics to have more grip at the rear. He spent 13 years at Honda. I think we need him in this area to be more competitive.”
Last November, the newcomers to KTM all said that the bike was too stiff from the front, that you couldn't feel the limit of the front tire. Was this your first impression? In the meantime, new parts have been used to improve the feeling at the front?
" Exactly. We now have a better feeling, we can get closer to the limit and improve the times. We now have a good feeling when braking, setting the angle and at maximum lean. We don’t have a bike that understeers and falls.”
MotoGP, Sepang J3 Test: times
| 1 | 9 | Danilo Petrucci | Ducati GP19 | 1:58.239 | ||
| 2 | 63 | Francis Bagnaia | Ducati GP18 | 1:58.302 | 0.063 | 0.063 |
| 3 | 43 | Jack Miller | Ducati GP19 | 1:58.366 | 0.127 | 0.064 |
| 4 | 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | Ducati GP19 | 1:58.538 | 0.299 | 0.172 |
| 5 | 12 | Maverick Vinales | Yamaha M1 | 1:58.644 | 0.405 | 0.106 |
| 6 | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda RC213V | 1:58.780 | 0.541 | 0.136 |
| 7 | 41 | Aleix Espargaró | Aprilia RS-GP | 1:59.022 | 0.783 | 0.242 |
| 8 | 21 | Franco Morbidelli | Yamaha M1 | 1:59.141 | 0.902 | 0.119 |
| 9 | 30 | Takaaki Nakagami | Honda RC213V | 1:59.148 | 0.909 | 0.007 |
| 10 | 46 | Valentino Rossi | Yamaha M1 | 1:59.155 | 0.916 | 0.007 |
| 11 | 93 | Marc Márquez | Honda RC213V | 1:59.170 | 0.931 | 0.015 |
| 12 | 42 | alex rins | Suzuki GSX-RR | 1:59.180 | 0.941 | 0.010 |
| 13 | 6 | Stefan bradl | Honda RC213V | 1:59.368 | 1.129 | 0.188 |
| 14 | 53 | Tito Rabat | Ducati GP18 | 1:59.485 | 1.246 | 0.117 |
| 15 | 36 | Joan mir | Suzuki GSX-RR | 1:59.486 | 1.247 | 0.001 |
| 16 | 20 | fabio quartararo | Yamaha M1 | 1:59.497 | 1.258 | 0.011 |
| 17 | 5 | Johann zarco | KTM RC16 | 1:59.640 | 1.401 | 0.143 |
| 18 | 44 | Pol Espargaro | KTM RC16 | 1:59.751 | 1.512 | 0.111 |
| 19 | 88 | Miguel Oliveira | KTM RC16 | 1:59.949 | 1.710 | 0.198 |
| 20 | 17 | Karel Abraham | Ducati GP18 | 2:00.378 | 2.139 | 0.429 |
| 21 | 55 | Hafiz Syahrin | KTM RC16 | 2:00.766 | 2.527 | 0.388 |
| 22 | 50 | Sylvain Guintoli | Suzuki GSX-RR | 2:00.990 | 2.751 | 0.224 |
| 23 | 38 | Bradley Smith | Aprilia RS-GP | 2:00.995 | 2.756 | 0.005 |
| 24 | 66 | Mika Kallio | KTM RC16 | 2:01.020 | 2.781 | 0.025 |
| 25 | T2 | Nakasuga/Folger | Yamaha M1 | 2:01.243 | 3.004 | 0.223 |
| 26 | T1 | Jonas Folger | Yamaha M1 | 2:01.719 | 3.480 | 0.476 |
