The 2023 MotoGP World Championship season will surely be remembered by Johann Zarco. Not only did he close a cycle with Ducati and Pramac Racing, but he also finally achieved his first victory in the premier class.
The early part of the season was promising for the experienced Frenchman: fourth place in Portugal, second in Argentina, and seventh in the Americas, hinting at a consistent year. The retirement at the Spanish GP was one of the few “hiccups,” but it was followed by a sequence of three consecutive third places starting with the home round in Le Mans.
That was the best phase of the season for Zarco, who would only reach the top three two more times until the end. Despite being far from the form of his teammate Jorge Martín – who fought for the title – he showed enough consistency to always be in the battle for the top five in the World Championship. The Sprint races were one of his “Achilles’ heels”: he scored points in only 11 out of 19.
One of the delicate moments of Zarco’s season occurred during the MotoGP German GP practice session, where he collided heavily with Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) at the exit of the pit lane. It was one of the most frightening accidents of 2023, from which #5 emerged without major injuries.The announcement of Pramac’s departure came during the weekend of the Austrian GP – in which, interestingly, he had his worst result except for retirements, with 13th place in the main race. Days later, he was announced by LCR Honda for 2024. On track, Zarco was somewhat inconsistent during the Asian phase of the calendar, reaching the top ten only three times. One of these occasions was the highlight of his career so far, with the historic victory in the Australian GP “snatched by force” in a fight to the end where he surpassed now two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati). A victory that proved essential to be able to finish in the top five of the championship, as he arrived at Phillip Island in seventh. In the press conference after the race, Zarco reflected on the emotions felt: ‘It’s a very good feeling. Because you always attack and try to achieve it, but sometimes you say: “There are some other riders who have pace, who have this feeling.” Until you achieve it, it seems like you can’t win‘.Despite the triumph, the Gaul had some difficulties in the following races, losing the “train” of the fight for fourth place against Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM). The farewell from Pramac and Ducati happened with a tasty second place in the Valencia GP after an interesting battle with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini/Ducati) – when victory was possible. It was a satisfying end to Zarco’s stay with Pramac, who stated in a press conference: ‘The podium in the last round. It is also a way to confirm this fifth place in the championship. […]. I am very happy to conclude the story with Pramac in this way‘.A chapter closes for Zarco with Pramac and Ducati – the current reference bike in the paddock. Ahead lies the unknown project of LCR Honda, where he will have to contribute to the development of one of the least competitive bikes in the paddock. Matching or improving the fifth place in 2023 will be very difficult, but what no one can take away from him is the best season of his career so far: final top five, first victory, and a total of six podiums.
Johann Zarco’s 2023 season:
Portuguese GP: 8th Sprint/4th GP – 4th in the championship
Argentinian GP: 12th Sprint/2nd GP – 3rd in the championship
Americas GP: 11th Sprint/7th GP – 5th in the championship
Spanish GP: 8th Sprint/Retirement GP – 9th in the championship
French GP: 6th Sprint/3rd GP – 5th in the championship
Italian GP: 4th Sprint/3rd GP – 5th in the championship
German GP: 5th Sprint/3rd GP – 4th in the championship
Dutch GP: 13th Sprint/Retirement GP – 5th in the championship
British GP: 4th Sprint/9th GP – 5th in the championship
Austrian GP: Retirement Sprint/13th GP – 5th in the championship
Catalan GP: 7th Sprint/4th GP – 6th in the championship
San Marino GP: 14th Sprint/10th GP – 6th in the championship
Indian GP: Retirement Sprint/6th GP – 6th in the championship
Japanese GP: 5th Sprint/NC GP – 6th in the championship
Indonesian GP: 12th Sprint/Retirement GP – 7th in the championship
Australian GP: 1st GP (no Sprint race) – 5th in the championship
Thai GP: 9th Sprint/10th GP – 6th in the championship
Malaysian GP: 8th Sprint/12th GP – 5th in the championship
Qatari GP: 10th Sprint/12th GP – 5th in the championship
Valencia GP: 9th Sprint/2nd GP – 5th in the championship
