Key Points
- Johann Zarco is currently fourth in the MotoGP standings but doesn’t have a seat for the 2024 season yet.
- He’s been offered a place at LCR Honda, but his preference is to stay at Ducati.
- However, his place at Pramac is under threat from Marco Bezzecchi, who is seeking an upgrade to factory-spec Ducati machinery for next season.
- Zarco is not considering a switch to WorldSBK at this stage of his career, so his options are limited to Ducati and Honda.
- He’s said his target is to stay at Ducati, but if that’s not possible, he’d be open to a move to LCR Honda.
- Zarco finished fourth in the damp Sprint race on Saturday but will need to start from ninth again in the Sunday grand prix.
As of Saturday’s Silverstone Sprint in the MotoGP standings, Johann Zarco is currently in fourth place. However, he admits it feels strange not to have a seat for the 2024 season, considering his strong performance.
The position with Ducati is in Jeopardy
Zarco’s position at Pramac Ducati looks to be in jeopardy due to the potential threat from Marco Bezzecchi. Bezzecchi, currently second in the world championship, is seeking an upgrade to factory-spec Ducati machinery for the next season. If he can’t secure a spot at VR46, Bezzecchi might move to Pramac, which could result in Zarco losing his seat.
While Pramac is Zarco’s only Ducati option, he mentioned he won’t consider switching to WorldSBK (World Superbike Championship) at this stage of his career. However, there is a potential alternative for him at Honda, as there is a newly available seat at LCR due to Alex Rins’ departure.
WSBK Opportunity?
When asked about the possibility of moving to WorldSBK, Zarco ruled it out, stating the is still performing well in MotoGP and is currently ranked fourth in the championship. He believes if he continues to achieve good results, he should secure a seat for next year.
Regarding Honda’s interest, Zarco acknowledged it flattering to have the attention of such a prestigious brand, even though Honda is currently facing some difficulties. He previously competed in three races for LCR Honda at the end of 2019 after parting ways with KTM. While LCR is not a “crazy idea” because it’s still Honda, his preference is to stay with Ducati due to their winning bike and team.
Objective
Zarco’s goal is to continue with Ducati and Pramac on a factory bike, as he believes Ducati provides the best chance to fight for victories and top positions in MotoGP. As of the end of the Sprint race, Zarco finished fourth but will need to start from ninth in the Sunday grand prix. His performance in the upcoming races may play a crucial role in determining his future in MotoGP.
Conclusion
Johann Zarco is in a difficult position at the moment. He’s a top rider who is performing well in MotoGP, but he doesn’t have a guaranteed seat for the 2024 season. He’s been offered a place at LCR Honda, but his preference is to stay at Ducati. However, his place at Pramac is under threat from Marco Bezzecchi, so he may have to make a decision between staying at Ducati or moving to Honda.
