It is a highly motivated Johann Zarco who heads into the first round of the year with the colors of LCR Honda, a team he represents this year after being with Pramac Racing. The Frenchman admits he can even reach the top ten ‘if everything goes well’.
In conversation with journalists, #5 spoke about how he feels for the start of the season: ‘I am very motivated. The feeling on the bike is very good. I think we can be faster than when we tested here. We have solved many things. Now we should have a stable base on which we can build. The next step will be to play with the tuning to explore the potential that undoubtedly exists’.
And this confidence was clear with an anticipation even of what the final result might be: ‘If all goes well, we should be among the top 10. It would be a good first step. I know it is possible, but my personal performance also has to be good. Even during the tests, I was satisfied with the work we did. Frustration came from other things: not having enough time to get to the bottom of things or to get used to the changes. Of course, I will not be satisfied if I end up in 17th place, but I am willing to accept that’.
Experience gives him some ease and preparation not to feel pressured: ‘I have long switched on that mental switch. I want to achieve good results, but I don’t feel as much pressure as in previous years. In a way, that makes my life easier. But, at the beginning of the season, that won’t be the case. But, during the season, we can use the races to check different things’.
