On this Sunday, November 8, Johann zarco answered questions from journalists from the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia at the end of the European Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French pilot.
As usual, we report here the words of Johann zarco without the slightest formatting, even if the first part is translated from English (vouvoiement).
Johann zarco : « I would say I'm satisfied because I felt strong at the start of the race, and that's always important. And I felt strong even though we hadn't done many laps in the dry. So it's positive to feel that you're in control of the bike, especially at the start of the race, and for me, it really confirms that it's progressing well and that I have more control, and therefore that I can do more things. and that I can be fast. It's really good, and with this pace I can see the strengths of the Hondas and the KTMs. I didn't see the Suzukis too much today because they got away quickly. I think this can help us improve our weak points, because we clearly feel that we have had a few since almost the beginning of the year. This is the right way to work. I was a little angry and disappointed about the last two laps, because with my strategy I could have kept seventh place and fought better, but I didn't because I saw Dovi and I I thought it was better to leave it there, because you never know about the championship. As I was thinking about that, Binder passed me, then both of them were a little faster than me and I wasn't able to re-attack them. So I was disappointed with these last two laps because I didn't use a good strategy. But after this feeling, remembering the race, everything I was able to learn and seeing how I gradually struggled at the end of the race, that I was missing two or 3 tenths, then that I started to be tired because I was pushing a little too much, all of this I think is interesting. I really believe that we will find solutions because we also have very good strengths. It was a good race! »
Your pace slowed with six or seven laps to go. Was it due to the tires or fatigue?
« The tire has deteriorated a little, but in my opinion not much. I also made a few mistakes which accounted for most of the loss of pace. The tire has deteriorated, but no more than the others. It's just that he was less good in the places where I was already wasting time, and therefore wasting even more time. We will see next week, if we have more time in the dry, if we can work better and progress, but the feeling was very similar to that of Aragón, and that is why we will find. But as long as we have a good qualifying and start with the right group, I think it prepares my mindset and my confidence to be on the podium. »
This weekend, the conditions were delicate. Were you able to learn anything for the next one?
« I am satisfied with the choice of tires. They made a mistake (on the tire sheet) because I was not on soft because I had the hard at the front and the medium at the rear. This choice was the right one and I think I will do the same next week. So tire wise we have what we need here in Valencia if everything goes dry next week. Whether it's morning or afternoon, we have good tires to work with, even if it's a little colder.
I think the tricky conditions this weekend helped me fight for pole position and allowed me to start in the first two rows. But if it's completely dry next week, I also have to be very strong, at least on one lap, to do a good qualification, because at the moment that's what helps me the most. But I think if it's completely dry next week, it will be good for everyone because everyone will work better. Normally, we don't drive here in Valencia in 32: We drive in 31 or even faster. »
You mention being tired. Lorenzo on the Ducati also mentioned this problem and asked for solutions to help him. Is this a recurring problem for you and does it require more intense training?
« Non, je ne pense pas que la solution est de s’entraîner plus fort, car si vous entraînez plus fort, vous n’améliorez pas votre feeling sur la moto car vous forcez trop. Je pense que le secret, la façon de faire, et de trouver une manière pour moins forcer, mais simplement en ayant une meilleure confiance sur la moto. Selon moi, quand Jorge a gagné des courses sur la Ducati, vous pouviez voir à la télévision qu’il ne forçait pas : Il avait simplement trouvé le feeling. Personnellement, je travaille différemment de Jorge, car si je peine un peu, je ne suis pas si loin. Je ne suis pas trop on/off comme il l’était, du genre “soit c’est rien, soit je gagne”. Personnellement, j’ai toujours été comme ça pour sauver ma situation, mais comme je l’ai dit, actuellement je vois que j’ai fait un bon début de course, ce qui signifie que je me sens mieux et que j’agis mieux. »
Do you think this circuit is particularly difficult for the Ducatis?
« No ! No, because we can progress since we have a lot of options to improve the bike. So I think when we find it, we can be fast in Valencia. Last year the race pace was very good from Marc and Fabio, but Jack was also strong here in Valencia. So I think it's really possible to be fast. Maybe it's the new rear tire and its new carcass that gives us a problem, but I think Ducati hasn't found the solution yet, but I think it's possible to fight for the podium here in Valencia next week. I believe in that, because they are small things: barely 2 tenths to find and it's good. »
What can you improve on the Ducati to gain these 2 tenths?
« Perhaps it’s still just Turning, as they say. Because I can compensate well during braking phases, and that remains a strong point, but I compensate a little too much. I think I lose a few meters on the way out because I'm not positioned well enough. My strength when braking, I don't use it to overtake someone but simply to catch up with someone. But for me, these two tenths come from there: if you can follow the exit better, instead of catching up, you double. In my opinion, this is where we can get two tenths. »
How do you see the outcome of the MotoGP championship?
« C’est clair que Mir a pris un bel avantage parce que, même niveau points, ça commence à faire un paquet de points d’avance à deux courses de la fin. Et on va dire que ce complexe de ne pas avoir encore gagné une course, et de se dire “je suis champion sans avoir gagné”, ça y est : Il n’y a plus ce complexe. Sans dire que ça va lui donner confiance pour gagner les prochaines, au moins il peut vraiment se dire “si je fais 2,3 ou 4, c’est bien, de toute façon j’ai gagné”. Au niveau confiance, il a enlevé un complexe, et ça, ça peut le rend très fort et plus relax. Moins de critiques des médias, donc plus relax. On peut même aussi voir Rins passer deuxième du championnat, parce que, quand je les vois en course, ils ont du gros rythme : C’était beau à voir ! »
Is the outcome of this weekend conclusive?
« Yes ! Especially to see that in wet conditions or in the dry, these are always conditions that I like, and that I manage to play my card well, and therefore also use the benefit of this qualification. Because, I repeat, I have the feeling of being quite strong at the start of the race, and there, I reconfirmed myself. For at least the first 10 laps it wasn't bad, because if I had been slow the others would have overtaken me. Jack Miller wasn't any faster. I almost got ahead of him but he was able to keep pace after halfway, and I wasn't enough. This is where we need to find more ease with the bike, to keep pace. But as I say, as I have almost everything to gain, from losing time at the end of the race but having felt a good feeling at the start, I consider this weekend as positive. »
Suzuki is the only bike you haven't ridden in two and a half years. Does it surprise you to see them where they are?
« Four years ! It was summer 2016 when I tried it. There are so many things that can change in four years... With the Japanese spirit, in general, they don't change things too much. They manage to have an ultra-healthy base on which they then really make small modifications and small developments. But it’s true that a strong base with regular work… »
« In any case, we always saw that it seemed to drive well but that they lacked engine power. There, they make up for this lack of engine and it becomes a top bike. What is impressive is that there, on a circuit where there is still a lot of spinning, the Yamaha had an advantage, but the Suzuki remained strong while the Yamaha made no difference. It's beautiful ! It's nice because we see that it can come from the Suzuki, otherwise there wouldn't be both drivers every time in the last races. So impressed, but can't really relate. It just motivates me to tell myself that everyone has their own time. So mine doesn't arrive right away, but it will arrive. »
Standings for the MotoGP European Grand Prix in Valencia:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
