Far from the somewhat formatted communication of traditional press releases, the exchanges between the French pilot and the journalists in the Tech3 hospitality are of a richness and simplicity that true enthusiasts will appreciate (you can find all his past debriefs in our section ( "Interviews").
There is always the little detail that immerses us more every day in the world of MotoGP…
As usual, we report here the entirety of the comments of Johann zarco, in a raw way, therefore without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
There is one less Yamaha here in Misano…
“I'm happy to keep the bike I've been using all year. It's the best solution for working and knowing what I have to do. Valentino was a favorite for the victory or for the podium, so I think if he is not there, it is an extra chance to be in the Top 5 or, why not, on the podium. The Yamaha works pretty well here. The track is difficult because it can be very hot, and it is physically difficult. And it's also quite small for MotoGP, so how you work with the team can really affect whether or not you race. And I would be very focused on that to have good sensations and feel comfortable during the race. »
5 factories carried out tests here recently, while conditions are expected to be mixed for Friday and Sunday. Is this a big advantage for them?
“Yes, that may be the case. Above all for the bike settings, but also for the riders who have done a lot of laps here. I think this can help them have better references and feel comfortable whatever the conditions. »
Did Yamaha approach you to replace Valentino?
“I let my manager handle that. I think they spoke to Hervé but like I said, the right attitude is to continue doing what we know. »
What do you think you will learn from this Grand Prix and this circuit?
“I think that after the two good results in Austria at Silverstone, I can arrive here confident. It's a circuit that I like, I also think that the Yamaha is a good bike here in Misano, so I hope to be able to be close to the first again, to manage to fight with them to hope for a nice Top 5. Valentino is absent, so perhaps a place on the podium is in play. So I put this goal in mind, this pleasure of going after that. »
What is the atmosphere like between the drivers, while Valentino Rossi is absent for his home Grand Prix?
" I'm not paying attention. Really, it's unfortunate that he got injured because maybe the public will be a lot less enthusiastic, but for the drivers, our job doesn't change at all and the goal remains to be the fastest. »
Could not having tested here be a handicap at some point during the weekend?
" I think so. Driving on a track anyway helps, as a driver, to take a lot of cues and to be comfortable, to get into the rhythm, much more quickly. Then, on the part settings, they will also be the same tires. With a one or two day test, they are really ahead. If the conditions are constant, perhaps we can start on the right basis, have fun and catch up. And if the conditions are mixed, that is to say for example rain in the morning and this afternoon, etc., as is announced, then, in my opinion, we should not worry, but go ahead and hope that everything goes well. »
What do you think about accidents that happen during training?
" It's difficult. You have to train, you have to be in shape. Afterwards, we pilots are still quite fatalistic. What has to happen happens. For my part, this year, I really liked the Supermotard. When I train in the conditions that Laurent provides me with, that is to say the bike is healthy and safe, we can ride hard without being surprised by the bike, that allows me to be confident and to work well. Afterwards, there is always the luck factor because you can get hurt for not much, but there is also a way to think carefully to be careful. But there, it's "bad luck" because the pilots have to train, everyone has to find their own training solution. And the team bosses cannot prevent training of this type, because the day when someone trains like that and beats people who are not allowed to do that, it is a sign that training serves. »
Don't you go off-road anymore?
“No! Ultimately, dirt track. That's really the good compromise because we don't have to jump, there are no stones on the track, it's a smooth, dirt track, it doesn't go very fast, and on a technical level, it It's really interesting. »
Were you able to watch the last Grand Prix and know what you were missing to pick up Lorenzo?
“Yes, I watched the Silverstone race. I think what really penalized me was my departure. The fact of having been behind Pol Espargaro and not having overtaken him straight away was ultimately what caused me to lose the most time. Even though it only lasted one or two laps, I was then able to make a big effort to catch up with Pedrosa and Lorenzo because we were driving at almost the same speed. I think that took up a lot of energy and penalized me at the end. Regarding Lorenzo, we were both in a situation where we were slipping. Was I slipping more than him? Maybe. But was I sliding more because, precisely, I pushed too hard at the start of the race? Now the analysis is to find with the team the way to have more room for maneuver over the last five laps. Or even the last three laps, because that will prevent me from suffering the blow. »
Silverstone was not a circuit conducive to seeing fairings with fins. Are you going to try them here?
“What is planned is to use them from the start of the weekend because really, on this circuit, they are useful. The Yamaha have tested them before, so even if I've never tried them, we know that we can go there and work with them. »
