Johann Zarco : Objectif podiums et plus encore !
Johann Zarco, the French MotoGP rider, is optimistic about his chances for the upcoming season despite the change in teams. After leaving Pramac Ducati, Zarco has joined Honda-LCR and expressed his hope of being able to « fight for podiums » once again. During the unveiling of his new bike, Zarco stated, « I want to stay at the front, have the opportunity to at least fight for podiums or even more if the chance arises. » With just under a month until the first Grand Prix in Qatar on March 10th, Zarco aims to continue his successful career.
Zarco, who won his first MotoGP race in Australia last year, is not setting a specific target for the championship. However, he has expressed his aim to bring Honda back into the top 10. This will be a challenging goal as Honda finished last out of five manufacturers in 2023, and Honda-LCR was the 10th out of 11 teams. Despite the uphill battle, Zarco is determined to make the most of the opportunities that Honda has provided. « I had a good start to 2024 with Honda. It seems like they have made many changes, so I am ready to have fun, » said the French rider. He added that he learned from last year that he can also enjoy difficult moments, which gives him confidence going forward.
Zarco’s new bike will have a white, green, and red livery, matching his Castrol-sponsored racing suit. His teammate, Takaaki Nakagami, will have a livery featuring the colors of the Japanese petroleum company, Idemitsu.
This is not Zarco’s first time with the LCR team. He briefly rode for them in the last three races of 2019 after leaving KTM. Throughout his MotoGP career, which started in 2017, Zarco has ridden for Yamaha (2017-2018), KTM (2019), Honda (2019, 2024), and Ducati (2020-2023). Although Zarco had a one-year offer to stay with Ducati, he opted for Honda’s two-year deal, which provided more long-term guarantees.
Zarco will have the opportunity to test his new bike at the upcoming pre-season tests in Qatar on February 19th-20th. These tests will allow him to become more familiar with the Honda-LCR and make any necessary adjustments before the start of the season.
As the MotoGP community eagerly awaits the start of the new season, Zarco’s move to Honda-LCR has generated excitement and raised expectations. With his successful track record and determination to perform at his best, Zarco hopes to make a strong impression and prove that he can compete at the front of the pack once again. Fans and critics alike will closely watch his progress as he aims to achieve his goal of fighting for podium finishes and potentially more in the 2024 MotoGP season.
