Arriving 14th in Barcelona, Johann Zarco believes he made a bad tire choice. He nevertheless draws a positive conclusion from his end of the 2024 season, noting personal progress as well as on the Honda RC213V. He will continue his work during the 2025 pre-season test on Tuesday.
A tricky race but first Honda driver despite everything: “I think I made a bad choice of tire with the hard one at the rear. I thought I had the advantage at the end of the race, but the problem was that the tire didn't give any extra at the start, and I really tried to do my best, but no way to keep pace at the start . Too bad because the weekend started really well. Well, the season ends better than the beginning. But to compete for a place in the top-10 today, I lost too much time at the start. This tire choice didn't help. It was worth a try because the opposite situation would have given me a nice comeback. A mixed feeling about this last race, but I continued to perform, to be the first Honda rider and to fight with other bikes. And there are good things, we finish well. »
A disappointment not to be in the top-10 which proves that his objectives have evolved: “We have made progress. I'm happy to have also progressed on the bike and to start riding differently, to exploit different things on the bike. This is a bit what I also wanted to do on the Ducati, but which I couldn't do. I have opened new doors for myself and I am exploring them better and better. It will definitely make me grow as a driver. I hope the bike takes a step forward to become better and play up front. »
The results of the hot season: “I came away much more happy and motivated than I would have thought a year ago. I was scared, and not at all, quite the opposite in fact. Then it was also a mission, a personal challenge that I had not managed to win with KTM in 2019. There I think I opened new doors for myself which are really interesting. Fortunately we evolved at the end of the year, otherwise it might have been difficult, when I announced that I wanted to play for the top-10 and I couldn't even get into the points. »
“We had to revise the objectives downwards. But to then be able to achieve what I was aiming for at the end of the season, it did me a lot of good. Happy with that and to see that I'm gaining Honda's trust little by little. In my opinion, with the Japanese, once it is well won, it can last as long as I remain efficient.
No personal changes coming this winter: “No, my group is working well and winter will pass very quickly. I will do some rolling, even more fun than my rolling last winter. Because I know I've reached a milestone. And even on the CBR, I feel pretty good, so I'm going to use these good feelings to play on finesse. »
Jorge Martin titled: “Great. Top for him, top for Pramac, that's how I wanted it so I'm happy. He managed very well, he had to manage like that. Pecco was confident in these last races, he did what he had to do but unfortunately he was behind. So it's good like that. »
No idea what he will test on Tuesday: “No, not at all, because it wouldn't do me any good to know that now. So we'll discuss it quietly tomorrow. »
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