Let's talk MotoGP: Johann Zarco faces a difficult choice

With the transfer market already in turmoil, Johann Zarco is currently considering his future in MotoGP. Fortunately for him, he's faced with a sort of choice: stay with LCR Honda, or make his mark with the factory team. Let's take a closer look.

 

A win-win situation

 

Let's start by saying, because it's quite rare in a career, that both choices are good, the equipment being the same. He's not in danger, and his recent results riding the RC213V assure him a good future within the brand, there's no doubt about it. Namely, the two entities seem to be two sister teams rather than two rivals, which bodes well for extra-sporting privileges. I imagine that Honda, which does not want to lose Zarco, is ready to pay the price to keep him, even at LCR. Therefore, I don't even think the financial aspect is very important, even if there must be advantages on that side of being a factory driver. I can't imagine him for a single moment being paid less than he is currently in the event of an extension, because he is in a strong position. In this article, we will therefore look at this question from the sporting point of view, on the one hand, but also from that of the legacy, the mark he will leave in Grand Prix racing.

 

 

LCR, Johann Zarco's family in MotoGP

 

Yes, Tech3 was very important in Johann Zarco's career, as was Pramac Racing. But from a completely outside perspective, I have never seen him so at peace with himself as at LCR Honda.. Clearly, in an equal non-sporting situation, this is a significant point for a 34-year-old driver. He needs to feel comfortable to perform, and I believe Lucio Cecchinello's team is ideal for this. It was with her that he achieved the feat of winning at Le Mans, in front of his public and his parents., but that's not all: we must not forget that Cecchinello had given him a chance to get back on track in the last three races of the 2019 season, after his departure from KTM.

Furthermore, it's one of the best private teams in the history of MotoGP, it's established, strongly linked to the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. It's an attractive position, and I think it would be very difficult for him, at his age, to put the pressure of being a factory rider back on and thus leave his last family in MotoGP for a new environment. As long as he has the same equipment as the officials, I would understand if he stayed where he is.

 

Sign with Honda and make history

 

After careful consideration, from a rational perspective, staying at LCR seems like the most sensible course of action. He has everything he needs in an environment that clearly suits him. But passion has its reasons that reason ignores. And honestly, there are plenty of arguments in favor of a move to the official Honda team.

 

 

First, the name. Driving for the Honda factory team in MotoGP, it's a bit like driving for Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1. This is joining Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Freddie Spencer, Dani Pedrosa, and Iker Lecuona. This amounts to entering into legend – there was an intruder in the list, will you find him? –, because wearing these colors is not insignificant. For a 35-year-old pilot, claiming such a position is still quite glorious, and it is the kind of offer that is very difficult to refuse.

If he truly wants to help Honda return to the top, then he must choose the factory seat. We imagine better communication with the engineers, better visibility to make things happen, more pressure too, but greater rewards if it works. High risk, high reward. There's also a point that's rarely discussed, but which seems essential to me: we are often closer to the exit when we are satellite pilots. In general, even very average officials always manage to bounce back in a private sector for a few years before disappearing, outside of retirement, of course.

 

The little prognosis

 

Now it's time to get wet. Where do you think he'll go? Will he choose safety and serenity, or the prestige and pressure of the historic Honda colors? In truth, it's very difficult to say, and I admit I have a lot of trouble deciding. Both possibilities are valid, understandable, and look each other in the eye. Well, enough of this wild speculation.

I actually think he will stay at LCR Honda. Zarco has the potential to change the face of the Japanese manufacturer while preserving his cocoon, his sanity and his comfort. He has the cards in hand to negotiate a very good salary, even if I recognize that it is very difficult to refuse this official handlebar. Besides, I could be perfectly wrong and I wouldn't be really surprised if he went the other way, but I had to make a decision. What tips the scales, in my opinion, is his age: at 35 on July 16, I don't know if he necessarily wants to take on yet another challenge, especially since this one would be the most difficult of all.

Where do you think he will go? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport