Johann Zarco delivered another impressive performance for Honda in MotoGP, securing a podium at Silverstone following his win at Le Mans. The LCR Honda rider‘s back-to-back top finishes have drawn attention, particularly after teammate Luca Marini hinted at a secret upgrade that may have contributed to Zarco’s success.
Technical Insight from Marini on Zarco’s Advantage
When asked about the performance gap between himself and Zarco, Marini explained that Zarco’s improved pace was linked to a specific bike setup. He said he couldn’t test the same feature during the warm-up session due to wet conditions.
“I don’t think that Johann, this weekend was faster for this. He had another thing that I would wanted to try in the Warm Up, but, obviously, it was wet. So I wasn’t able to try it,”
Marini stated.
Marini added context about how the British circuit’s unique conditions and cooler temperatures created an opportunity for Zarco to capitalize on a softer front tire setup, which allowed more flexibility in bike tuning.
“But I know very well what he had that he was helping his performance in this track. I don’t know if this is something that you can try on a different track because this this track is try like quite particular and especially with this cold temperature that you have to use the soft front, you can play a little bit more,”
he elaborated.
Marini’s Own Challenges and Race Conditions
Reflecting on his own race, Marini mentioned a prior issue with tire casting and emphasized there were no major technical changes affecting his performance this time. Instead, he attributed differences mainly to tire warm-up duration.
“No. Just maybe it was more time on the warmer because it was there. So just maybe this,”
he clarified.
Implications for Honda and Future Races
Zarco’s consecutive podiums, supported by subtle but effective technical innovations, mark a positive development for Honda in the ongoing MotoGP season. As teams continue to adapt setups according to each circuit’s demands, the advantage demonstrated at Silverstone could influence strategies at upcoming rounds. Luca Marini’s comments suggest that while the performance boost may be circuit-specific, similar enhancements could emerge, helping Honda maintain competitiveness throughout the season.
