During the recent Sepang MotoGP test, Johann Zarco found himself needing to deviate from the setup strategies used by factory HRC riders, due to difficulties adapting to the new RC213V model. Despite strong performances from Joan Mir and Luca Marini with Honda’s 2026 package, Zarco struggled to find confidence and pace on the track, prompting him to develop a personalized approach for his bike.
Building Positivity through a Tailored Setup Approach
Zarco admitted that the initial days of testing were difficult, as the adjustments he tried did not bring the expected results. He explained,
“The way I started on the first day and the second day, I was a bit struggling, because what I was doing on the bike was not really working.”
This sentiment contrasted with the optimism shown by Mir and Marini, who both reported encouraging progress with their setups. However, as the test sessions progressed, Zarco’s consistency and confidence improved significantly. He detailed,
“At the end of the second day and [day three], I have been a bit more positive and more constant. So this was really good.”
The test included an intense afternoon session where Zarco focused on continuous riding to refine his feel for the bike, commenting,
“We had an intense afternoon, because from 2 to 6pm we rode non-stop. And the feeling got better and better.”
By the final morning, he recorded his best lap time, positioning 16th overall before concentrating on race pace simulations.
Zarco Highlights the Importance of a Personal Setup
Recognizing his physical differences compared to other riders, Zarco emphasized the necessity of customizing his bike’s setup instead of copying others. He stated,
“I need to have my own setup. Because clearly, we cannot copy what the other [HRC] guys are doing, even if they are super positive [about it].”
The differences in rider body sizes influence weight distribution on the bike, which has a significant effect on performance and handling. Zarco remarked,
“Our body [sizes] are so different, and we can see that where you put your weight on the bike makes a lot of difference. That’s why we need to understand how to make the bike also for me.”
Focus Shifts to Improving Balance and Grip Management
Looking ahead, Zarco aims to enhance the bike’s balance and his ability to maintain control as tyre grip deteriorates—a challenge that troubled him during last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. He said,
“I think the bike has improved very well, but still we need to find this good balance. A race bike is very sensitive, and to be on the right balance is not easy. But once you get it, then you get a lot of fun. That will be the target of Buriram.”
He added,
“Everyone has some tyre drop here in Malaysia. But for my side, when it starts to drop, the control of the bike gets more and more difficult. So then every lap is getting worse and worse.”
Zarco identified this weakness as a recurring issue, noting,
“It was my weak point during the race last year. I still feel that I did not improve this point well enough. So let’s see how Buriram is with different tyres. But I know that during the season, this will be a point that I have to find a solution.”
Honda Riders’ Overall Performance in Sepang Testing
In comparison to Zarco, Joan Mir emerged as the top Honda rider with a strong fifth-place finish in the time sheets. Luca Marini ranked 13th, while Zarco’s teammate Diogo Moreira, a rookie in MotoGP, completed the session in 20th position. These varied results reflect the ongoing development process of the Honda package and the individual challenges faced by each rider.
