MotoGP, Texas: Exclusive interview with Florian Ferracci (KTM / Zarco) “We are all very motivated and we know it will come, we will get there, we are very confident”

Discovering a new machine is never easy, especially in a category as tough as MotoGP, and coming from a bike with very different characteristics. Since the start of the season, Johann Zarco's KTM has entered the points at each Grand Prix, and it has improved at each event.

The road is long, but Johann and his team are progressing in the right direction. Let's take a look at the Austin GP with Florian Ferracci, former high-level pilot and current mechanic of zarco.

Did the state of the track and the weather conditions (having forced the cancellation of the third free practice session) cause you problems in working?

“Not doing the third free practice session is one less chance of getting into the top ten. Then this circuit is extremely complicated for everyone, given the state of the track. One session less, both to decide on the choice of tires for the race and to achieve this famous time, is never an advantage. But unfortunately it's the same for everyone, we're all in the same boat.

“As for the condition of the track, all the drivers complained about it. Afterwards, there are motorcycles which suffer more or less, riders who take a greater risk of falling. There were a lot of falls this weekend. I don't think it calls into question the future Austin Grands Prix, but it's still a problem because everyone was talking about it.

While Pol Espargaró qualified 5th (record for KTM) in 2'04.472, Miguel Oliveira was 18th in 2'06.147, Johann Zarco 19th in 2'06.824 and Hafizh Syahrin 21st in 2'07.308. Was Espargaró's time encouraging for the future?

“Encouraging, yes, because it proves that the bike can do it. But that said, Pol is very strong for the timed lap. He conditions himself to do a lap very quickly, taking risks, possibly spinning his wheels if he has the opportunity. He is very good at this game and when it goes well, he manages to set very good times.

“There it went wonderfully, he did a great timed lap. It proves that the bike can do it, that it performs well on a lap. Our problem at the moment is to perform well over the duration of the race. It's more complicated ".

Pol Espargaró improved his 2018 race time by sixteen seconds to finish in 8th place this year. He finished 12th in Qatar, 10th in Argentina and 8th in the United States. So the bike seems pretty good?

“It’s certain that, when you see the raw result like that, eighth position is a great place for him and for KTM. 16 seconds less is a big improvement compared to last year.

“But we’re not going to be satisfied with that. First of all, we're not here to make eighth. We are here like everyone else, to win! What doesn't satisfy us too much is the gap compared to the first. There are 29 seconds for Pol at the finish, and our goal is to get closer and closer and reduce this gap.

“We have the same concern for Johann, who carries out all the tests thinking only of the race. To try to do fast and consistent laps for the duration of the race. He's conditioning himself for that, and at the moment we're still having a little trouble. We are counting on the next races in Europe to improve.

“What you need to know is that KTM is really pulling out all the stops, is fully behind its riders, and everyone is making an effort, both on the circuits and at the factory. Everyone believes in our drivers and supports them, so it will pay off in the end. It just takes a little time.”

Were you surprised by the victory of Álex Rins and his GSX-RR?

“To tell the truth, it's half a surprise because we've already seen for several races that Rins and his bike had progressed a lot.

“Obviously, at the bookmakers, everyone was betting on Márquez, and me first. I wouldn't have thought that Kidneys can win, but in truth he is more and more regularly at the forefront. He is often in the top five, and this race was for him. Everyone believed in Red in case Márquez had a failure, but it was Rins who really deserved his victory, as well as his team.”

How do you see the next races at Jerez and Le Mans for KTM in MotoGP?

“I hope they progress. It is certain that these are circuits where we have a lot more data. Our drivers do tests there, both during the year and at the end of the season. We are therefore rather optimistic for the future.

“It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. The level is so high, the riders close, the bikes all very good that it is difficult to gain time like that from one day to the next. It's really tenth by tenth. You have to know how to be patient and champ at the bit. We are all very motivated and we know that it will come, we will get there, we are very confident.”

Video: Johann Zarco explains (in English)

Photos © Gold and Goose for KTM