Tech3 Yamaha rider Johann Zarco has been announced to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2019 and 2020. The Frenchman first hopes to play the top-5, but tries not to think too much to stay focused on his season.
KTM ed the MotoGP in 2017. However, its riders, Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith, have for the moment struggling to win their game.
Zarco, able to run for the podium with the M1 satellite, but will he be able to do the same on the handlebars of the RC16?
“The top-5 would be a big step forward. But after that, we can think of podiums. KTM did not come in the MotoGP category to disappear in two years.” Zarco said.
“I hope I’ll be the right driver at the right time. But in the meantime I don’t think about it too much. I also have experience in this area, if you don’t worry too much, things appear much more clearly,” Zarco added.
“It’s really hard to evaluate. I hope to have the answer after the first test, in November. I like the sound of the KTM engine, which sounds a bit like the Honda.” Zarco said.
“This machine is certainly very different from the Yamaha. From the outside, the driving style of the KTM drivers seems aggressive, but that is not necessarily the case. I’m going to have to change my driving style safely, but driving aggressively is not the best way to be fast in MotoGP.
“The winter tests and the first races will be very important. But the first Grands Prix are never comparable to the arrival in Europe. Only on European races will we know where we really are. See you from May 2019.” Zarco added.
Johann Zarco is very fast with the M1 satellite. (Source:www.sportrider.com)
When asked about the gap to the factory Yamaha at the German GP, Zarco replied: “It’s better I don’t think about that because what I have, I will keep until the end of the season.”
“Being in a factory team means there are many people working on many things and, maybe they can better control the small things.
“Let’s see, I began the season quite strong but now when you check the difference, sometimes they are so small, that is what makes the race more difficult or the practices also more difficult.
“In laptime, the gap is small. I don’t want to know too much, I know that the less I think about it, the better I go, so I keep that sprit.
“I am happy that also I am feeling good during the race, just a little bit pace is missing. I hope that as soon we catch it everything will become much easier. “ Zarco added.
