Alongside the sometimes slightly 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 debriefings passed 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.
Johann zarco : " I feel good. I'm happy to have been able to start with a good pace this morning. I primarily used the medium rear tire. The soft rear tire will be a good option for the race, and we need to keep this option for qualifying and the race. Even using this strategy, I can be competitive in working with the medium. By still working with the medium, we then have an improvement with the soft. So I'm happy with this first day. I attacked with the bike and I expected a better improvement this afternoon, but in the end I didn't feel it. Maybe it's good that, even though I haven't felt any improvement, I'm still competitive. I'm waiting for tomorrow. My technician says that what we did today didn't show any improvement, but what we changed during the session each time provided more information that we can in principle apply tomorrow. »
Have you been able to observe Marc Márquez's race pace today and do you make it your favorite?
“I didn’t analyze his rhythm. I think this morning we were probably the only two drivers in the top 10 to keep our tires. We had some problems after 15 laps. We are working on it and when we find the solution and this good feeling beyond this round, then certainly we can hope to stay with him and, why not, fight for victory. »
Lin Jarvis said at a press conference that he doesn't yet know what equipment you will have next year...
“I think the best way to ask for something is to be in front of the factory riders (laughs). So I attack for that. It’s work and I still feel like I’m learning. I am constantly trying to improve myself by giving good information. I have Japanese staff with me and they can analyze. If I deserve it, I will be happy. I think we will decide after doing the tests together after Valencia. »
What is the biggest difference in feeling between today and the first tests you did here in MotoGP a year ago?
“I understand tires a lot more. This is the biggest difference from last year and from the February tests. I realize that when I'm on the bike, I know where the tires are going to take me, so I use them to hit that point, and then the timer comes. It's really good. I just need experience.
There is also stress. Last year, I pushed a lot whereas now, when I pass the sixth, I like the speed. Maybe we can still attack more in sixth grade, but I wasn't in a position to say that last year. »
You've had a great year...
“Yes, I realize very well what I have done, and I appreciate it, but the objective is to win, whatever the category. So if it takes a long time to get there, OK, but if I was almost able to do it this year, even better. It means I saved time and I appreciate that. »
Why don't you go to the Race Direction Safety Commission on Friday?
“It’s a personal choice. In my opinion, the Race Direction is made up of good people. Concerning security, they have already seen a lot of things and they provide us with security. If we had a comment to make, we would. If you have something to say, you go to the Safety Commission and you say it, or you tell it to Race Direction. But for me things are relatively safe, so go talk safety every weekend…
When I have something to say, I tell them, and that's the only way. For me, when security is there, I don't need to go there. If some pilots complain because I touch them or push them… they complained about this to the Safety Commission! But I have confidence and trust in the people who work for Race Management, because they can analyze. The good thing is that there have been races before, so they understand very well. »
Maybe we should all talk to the Safety Commission together...
" No ! This is not necessary, when we are there there is sometimes too much discussion not only about security, everyone talks about their own problems even unrelated to security, everyone talks about what they feel, I feel good (laughs). »
There are more and more dictaphones, which means that it works...
“Yes, especially compared to the last three races, we realize that “the triple” is pleasant because there are a lot fewer people around. »
You said that compared to February the biggest technical difference for you, the biggest gain is the understanding of the tires, what else are there, where have you progressed?
“(The understanding) of the bike too, really this power, at the start you are impressed and then you feel that you can control. I was even able to make a comment from the first session: “I feel like we're not accelerating hard enough”, but not because we don't have enough power! Exactly, there are too many and I can feel if the electronics are triggered or not. I couldn't have felt that a year ago. »
Can you feel the limit of the tires? Because that’s what’s most complicated…
" Yes yes. Above all, you know what the tire needs to go fast and therefore, you will immediately look for that. I needed quite a bit of time, and even now, you almost always have to ride at your maximum to progress in this feeling. And that's not bad at all. »
Do you have the feeling that sometimes the tire warns you?
“That’s the advantage of Michelin. Before, when he left, he fell. Now, when you're good, you push to the limit, you slip, and you catch yourself. If I fall, it's just a sign that we weren't well enough adjusted. When you're well adjusted, it slides, you catch up! »
Are you talking about the front?
“Yes, but even from the back. The rear, you have all the electronics that save you. »
Franco Morbidelli has said that the ability to save tires learned in Moto2 will undoubtedly help him when he arrives in MotoGP. Was this the case for you?
“I think he will have to adapt to something new anyway, but having learned to improve on himself, it has opened a lot of doors for him to also progress in MotoGP. So without really thinking about that technical aspect of preserving these tires, it's actually more open to understanding new things. This was seen from 2016 to 2017. From Qatar, he understood and it’s a sign that he’s an intelligent boy, and that, I think, will help him in MotoGP. »
After the three races which followed one another and in which you were in a sort of cocoon, you arrive in Valencia, the final, where there are a lot of people. After these races where you showed off yourself, is there more attention on you, and how do you approach it?
“I approach it well. I stay well in my bubble. There are a lot of people calling me, but I don't stop, even if it means asking "Who does he think he is not stopping?" ". But I think they can understand that if I stop, then I can't move. You have to think about protecting yourself, and go for it. We also had a good discussion with the team about people who can come to the box, for example as guests. We still have to keep our work spirit and the peace and quiet that we had during the three races outside Europe. We performed extremely well, but it's not just the driver, because we were all in symbiosis and we have to learn from that, together. But we manage it well, I put on my protective glasses from my new sponsor and I am protected (laughs). »
Do you feel a different demand from the public compared to the last races in Europe?
“No, no more. Just the MotoGP step and what we experienced at the French Grand Prix, that was the most. Afterwards, I discovered that it was not only in France, but also in Italy or Barcelona. But there, no, it's not more than other European races. Where things get a little sleepy, it would perhaps be Aragon, the quietest race of the European races. »
And at the professional level? Have you been asked more?
“It’s always Laurent (Fellon) who filters, and I think he filtered well because I was very calm (laughs). »
Do you know what equipment you will have for the post-GP tests?
" No idea. What I hope for is good weather and some riding, because you always have to evolve on yourself. Ride faster and faster with more and more ease. Whether with the addition of new equipment or not. I'm more in a "I'm going to ride and have fun" spirit. And afterward, I will probably have to get into the spirit of working and giving information concerning the possible new equipment that I am going to try. If the Japanese want to give this new material. We'll see…
I don't think about it too much. There is Sunday, and there is one after Sunday…”
Do you feel the difference of the new aerodynamic fairing compared to the tests you did last year here? And what does that bring to this circuit?
“This encourages acceleration a little, because as the circuit is short, the wheel quickly tends to take off when you accelerate. The goal is therefore for it to get back on the ground to be able to use the power. It's hard to say if it's much better than what I had last year, but it doesn't bother me when riding the bike. Guy (Coulon) said we were starting with that, so we left with that and we're going to work with that all weekend because it's logical that it brings something here. So you have to keep it. »
#ValenciaGP MotoGP: Combined classification J.1
| 1 | 99 | Jorge LORENZO | Ducati | 1'30.640 | ||
| 2 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | 1'30.762 | 0.122 | |
| 3 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati | 1'30.949 | 0.309 | |
| 4 | 29 | Andrea IANNONE | Suzuki | 1'31.045 | 0.405 | |
| 5 | 5 | Johann ZARCO | Yamaha | 1'31.054 | 0.414 | |
| 6 | 93 | Marc MARQUEZ | Honda | 1'31.243 | 0.603 | |
| 7 | 43 | Jack MILLER | Honda | 1'31.357 | 0.717 | |
| 8 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | Honda | 1'31.383 | 0.743 | |
| 9 | 51 | Michele PIRRO | Ducati | 1'31.413 | 0.773 | |
| 10 | 44 | Pol ESPARGARO | KTM | 1'31.438 | 0.798 | |
| 11 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | 1'31.488 | 0.848 | |
| 12 | 25 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | 1'31.624 | 0.984 | |
| 13 | 41 | Alex ESPARGARO | Aprilia | 1'31.698 | 1.058 | |
| 14 | 45 | Scott REDDING | Ducati | 1'31.733 | 1.093 | |
| 15 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | Ducati | 1'31.858 | 1.218 | |
| 16 | 42 | Alex RINS | Suzuki | 1'31.876 | 1.236 | |
| 17 | 36 | Mika KALLIO | KTM | 1'31.879 | 1.239 | |
| 18 | 8 | Hector BARBERA | Ducati | 1'31.926 | 1.286 | |
| 19 | 53 | Tito RABAT | Honda | 1'31.958 | 1.318 | |
| 20 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | 1'32.029 | 1.389 | |
| 21 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Ducati | 1'32.076 | 1.436 | |
| 22 | 76 | Loris BAZ | Ducati | 1'32.151 | 1.511 | |
| 23 | 38 | Bradley Smith | KTM | 1'32.457 | 1.817 | |
| 24 | 22 | Sam LOWES | Aprilia | 1'32.587 | 1.947 | |
| 25 | 60 | Michael VAN DER MARK | Yamaha | 1'33.101 | 2.461 |
