Johann Zarco: “Marc is like a fox in a hen house” / MotoGP

There were big changes on the MotoGP grid for the 2024 season. In addition to the most exciting transfer of Repsol Honda star Marc Márquez to the Gresini Ducati team, Johann Zarco made the opposite change of manufacturer. After the 33-year-old finally secured his first premier class victory in his seventh MotoGP season in Australia, he left the Pramac Racing Team for the LCR Honda team after four years at Ducati.

Zarco has already performed well on two Grand Prix weekends so far. On Sunday he ran for points with the RC213V in Qatar (12th place) and Portimão (15th place). In the overall standings, he is currently the second best Honda driver in 17th place.

In an interview with Canal +, the Frenchman explained why the change came at the right time for him: “I’m almost happy that I left before Marc switched to Ducati.”

The arrival of the eight-time world champion was expected with mixed feelings for the Italian manufacturer. Zarco gives the reason for this: “I think his role at Ducati can be compared to the fox in the hen house. Pecco is a very quiet person, but Marc knows how to inspire others. “He is also very important for the brand in terms of marketing.”

The two-time Moto2 world champion has great confidence in the Spaniard in GP23 this year: “I’m sure that Marc is calm enough to win the next race. I also think he is already thinking about winning the World Cup. His goal is to beat Valentino Rossi in statistics.”

MotoGP race results, Portimão:

1. Martin, Ducati, 25 Rdn in 41:18,138 minutes
2. Bastianini, Ducati, +0.882 sec
3. Acosta, KTM, +5,362
4. Binder, KTM, + 11,129
5. Miller, KTM, + 16,437
6. Bezzecchi, Ducati, + 19,403
7. Quartararo, Yamaha, + 20,130
8. Espargaro, Aprilia, +21,549
9. Oliveira, Aprilia, +23,929
10. Di Giannantonio, Ducati, +28.195
11. Fernandez, KTM, + 28,244
12. Mir, Honda, +29,287
13. Rins, Yamaha, + 31,334
14. Nakagami, Honda, +34,932
15. Zarco, Honda, +38,267
16. M. Márquez, Ducati, +40,174
17. Marini, Honda, +40,775
18. Morbidelli, Ducati, +52,362

World Championship standings after 4 of 42 races:
1. Martin, 60 Points. 2. Binder, 42. 3. Bastianini, 39. 4. Bagnaia, 37. 5. Acosta, 28. 6. Marc Márquez, 27. 7. Aleix Espargaró, 25. 8. Vinales, 19. 9. Miller, 16. 10. Di Giannantonio, 15. 11. Quartararo, 15. 12. Alex Márquez, 13. 13. Bezzecchi, 12. 14. Oliveira, 8. 15. Mir, 7. 16. Fernandez, 5. 17. Zarco. 18. Rins, 3. 19. Nakagami, 2.

World Builders Championship:
1. Ducati, 71 Points. 2. KTM, 50. 3. Aprilia, 35. 4. Yamaha, 15. Honda, 8.

World Cup Team:
1. Lenovo Ducati Team, 76 Points. 2. Prima Pramac Racing, 60. 3. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 58. 4. Aprilia Racing, 44. 5. Gresini Racing, 40. 6. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, 33. 7. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, 27 . 8. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, 18. 9. Trackhouse Racing, 8. 10. Repsol Honda Team, 7. 11. LCR Honda, 7.