At the British MotoGP Sprint held at Silverstone, Johann Zarco claimed fifth place by effectively managing his traction better than his competitors. The French Grand Prix winner highlighted his control over traction as the crucial element that propelled him forward during the 10-lap race.
Tyre wear proved challenging for many riders, especially after the halfway point, but Zarco’s approach allowed him to gain positions in the latter stages. He finished ahead of factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, demonstrating a clear advantage.
Overcoming a Difficult Start to Make Late-Race Gains
Zarco began the Sprint from ninth on the grid, a tough spot due to the narrow racing lines at the first corner. He noted the difficulty in maintaining optimal speed and positioning through the opening corners, which impacted his initial progress. While he lost one position early on, Zarco’s start was generally strong.
Despite some concerns about race pace on fresh tyres, his team gathered useful data during the Sprint that helped him regulate his speed and traction efficiently. This strategy enabled him to overtake riders like Jack Miller, who struggled with tyre degradation, as well as riders such as Fabio Quartararo and Bagnaia towards the finish.
Zarco acknowledged Marco Bezzecchi’s pace, stating he was unwilling to challenge Bezzecchi directly as he had demonstrated superior speed in previous races.
“But I was happy to, with my style, have an advantage and get this P5 which is very good.” — Johann Zarco, Rider
Riding Style and Bike Setup Play Key Roles in Tyre Preservation
Zarco credited his riding style for aiding tyre preservation during the closing laps, especially as tyre performance dropped steadily after lap five. By adjusting his body positioning into corners and managing the power delivery from his bike, he minimized tyre wear and maintained pace.
Between qualifying and the Sprint, Zarco’s team made fine adjustments to improve his feel for the bike, increasing his confidence to stay close to rivals and prepare for overtaking opportunities.
“When I had the opportunity to overtake – even the overtake on Marini was a nice one – it was important when you feel you have the speed to also get the opportunity to overtake, because sometimes you have the speed but you cannot pass and I could do both things today.” — Johann Zarco, Rider
Front-End Confidence Proves Essential to Performance
The LCR Honda rider emphasized that having a good feel at the front of the bike remains crucial to his success. He described the front-end grip as his strong point but admitted that maintaining this feeling consistently can be challenging throughout a race weekend.
“The front feeling is pretty good with the bike but it’s not easy to have it all the time,” — Johann Zarco, Rider
On Sunday, Zarco felt this contact was present, allowing him to confidently manage the rest of the bike and maintain control during the Sprint.
“Today, in the race, it was there, so then I can play with the rest of the bike to keep things under control.” — Johann Zarco, Rider
Implications for the Rest of the British MotoGP Weekend
Zarco’s strong traction control and tyre management place him in a promising position for the main British MotoGP race. His ability to maintain pace and execute strategic overtakes without compromising tyre life could make him a contender for higher finishes. Continued refinement of bike setup and sustaining front-end grip will be important factors as the weekend progresses at Silverstone.
