"Spy Attitude" MotoGP Technique: Johann Zarco vs HRC, what are we really talking about?

Last week, the statements of Johann zarco The press coverage of HRC gradually transformed into the "Zarco affair" capable of making even the most timid fans of one of the two French drivers jump. MotoGP.

Before getting into the purely technical side, let's review the chronology of events and provide some necessary clarifications...

On August 22, in Hungary, Johann zarco declared to Canal + : "Until now, I called myself LCR / HRC, given what we're experiencing at LCR, it might be very good to stay at LCR and continue to grow. But with all the energy invested, the 2nd victory at Suzuka, here is not nothing and I see that it is very important for Honda to have created even more relationships with the Japanese, Well, I really had the feeling that, in fact, I have to be number one pilot, I want to be number one pilot. And clearly you have to be at HRC to be number one driver, by that unfortunately, and there I saw on these last races that by staying LCR the number one rider position for Honda, I would have difficulty getting it. It is a bit of a shame but suddenly it makes me think that now il you have to aim for the HRC and try to go look for that.” 

He then specified:

In the process, he explained to our special correspondent at Balaton Park: "The officials have made good progress, they've been better since Austria. They've only had positive comments. I'm stagnating. We're trying different bikes, and the sensations are evolving a little. But nothing transcendent. They've also had developments that I haven't had, notably a swingarm and aerodynamics. That's also why I want the status of number 1 rider. Unfortunately, at LCR, I can't be number 1, but I think there's a chance to be."

Later, he announced that he would not have the evolutions in Barcelona...

Except for a handful of people on this planet, no one knows what is written in the contract that binds John Zarco at the HRC. But beyond what we think we know, two things are absolutely certain:

• En MotoGP, the notion of number 1 driver does not exist in any contract. In rare cases, such as Fabio Di Giannantonio This year, the contract may stipulate a different type of bike than his teammate, but "number 1 rider" is more of a notion from the distant past than a clause in current use.
•  Another certainty, HRC respects what it signedThe Japanese are professionals with lawyers and, without a doubt, if they supply parts as a priority to the factory team, it is because Johann Zarco signed a contract leaving room for this eventuality.

Afterwards, on a purely sporting level, we understand very well that the Frenchman has "the balls", given his investment and his results since his arrival at Honda.
We can also understand, even if it is less glorious, that the decision-makers at Honda, no doubt Alberto puig in the lead, are seeking to improve their results which until now appeared very poor, on equal terms.

So, regardless of the two victories at the Suzuka 8 Hours, regardless of the solid results of "Jojo" spearheading the Tokyo firm, and too bad, we wouldn't dare say, or even better, if The unfortunate Johann Zarco is clearly destabilized by this sort of ethical betrayal!

That said, Now let's move on to the technical side, to the extent of our meager means…

Alberto puig He himself listed the new components available to official riders since Austria: frame, swingarm, aerodynamic developments.

The framework.
Despite our photographic documents and those of Michelin, we will not see either the old or the new frame.
Honda is known for lowering the pit shutter as soon as possible, and it's impossible to see anything once the bikes are on track...

The swing arm.
Yes, Joan mir used a carbon swingarm in Austria and Hungary.
But, a priori, not Luca marini.
Given the results, the improvement of the RC213V could therefore have come from there in Austria (Mir more competitive than Marini), before the situation reversed in Hungary. Let's wait for Barcelona...

Aerodynamic evolution.
From what we can see, it's really minimal. Everything is similar, except for the front fairing fins, which are a bit more angular in their rear section and overhang a small prominence of the fairing.

It's obviously hard to believe that this minimal aerodynamic development could have made the official Hondas jump to such an extent...
The key element of Honda's progress would therefore remain the mysterious frame, which will now have to prove itself on a track that is less on/off than Austria or Hungary.

We will see in Barcelona what happens, hoping that Johann zarco don't give up and, on the contrary, take the bull by the horns to regain your usual ascendancy...

MotoGP Johann Zarco HRC

MotoGP Johann Zarco HRC MotoGP Johann Zarco HRC