After leaving a competitive Ducati seat for a challenging LCR Honda ride in 2024, Johann Zarco MotoGP career decisions have continued to capture attention throughout the racing world for their daring approach. Zarco’s bold moves, including a surprise step away from KTM in 2019 and later his transition to Honda, reveal a rider determined to prove himself under unique circumstances and personal challenges.
Zarco’s Unconventional MotoGP Journey
Johann Zarco’s path through the MotoGP landscape has hardly been straightforward. His career took a dramatic turn in 2019, when he walked away from a lucrative factory KTM deal after repeated struggles aboard the RC16, managing just a single top-ten finish in his first eleven races. Tensions simmered over expectations for Zarco to adapt to the KTM’s demanding character, raising questions over whether rider or machine should shoulder the adjustment.
Reflecting on this period, Zarco experienced significant frustration, stating,
“I was coming with the best motivation every weekend and after a few runs on the bike I was not feeling good because I was trying to solve my problems and not finding any solution. So then I didn’t know what to do,”
—Johann Zarco, Rider. Despite the risks, he refused to chase results solely for financial gain, remarking,
“The positive is that I’m still crazy enough to take a decision that no-one would take!”
—Johann Zarco, Rider.
KTM accelerated Zarco’s departure, ending the partnership at Misano, and he soon found himself without a MotoGP seat for 2020. Only a short-lived substitute role at LCR Honda—replacing the injured Takaaki Nakagami—kept him on the premier-class grid that year, before uncertainty loomed over his career trajectory.
Rebuilding on Ducati: Triumphs and High Expectations
Relief arrived when Avintia Ducati offered a seat, giving Zarco a platform to rebuild, highlighted by an early podium and a pole position. His performance reignited his reputation and earned him a place with Pramac Ducati. From 2021 to 2023, Zarco delivered his strongest MotoGP campaigns yet, securing sixteen podiums and clinching a memorable victory at Phillip Island. At this point, Zarco had not only demonstrated raw speed but thrived in Ducati’s high-pressure environment. However, success brought its own strain, and he faced the constant expectation to match the achievements of riders like Pecco and Martin.
The Honda Gamble: A New Challenge and Fresh Opportunities
Unexpectedly, Zarco opted for a full-time role with LCR Honda in 2024, a bike recently vacated by Marc Marquez and part of the team that finished last in the constructors’ standings. This decision marked another risky turn, reminiscent of his earlier KTM challenge, but Zarco embraced the difficulty with renewed purpose. He described his approach as “my personal challenge,” intent on demonstrating his composure and perseverance even when results were elusive.
Zarco explained his mindset reflecting on past and present pressures, sharing,
“This was a bit my target with the Honda challenge.”
—Johann Zarco, Rider. He elaborated that while results were difficult to come by in 2024, his accumulated experience helped steady his confidence: unlike during his KTM stint, he was no longer plagued by self-doubt. Importantly, Zarco chose Honda on his own terms, accepting the consequent difficulties.
“In the KTM time, it was a choice I accepted also because of the manager that I had. I said, ‘Okay, if you trust in the project, I trust also’… This taught me a lot,”
—Johann Zarco, Rider. On Honda’s less competitive RCV, Zarco found the opportunity to experiment with different riding styles, saying,
“I still have things to improve in my riding style and in the 2024 season, because the bike was not performing, it was an opportunity for me to try different things with my riding,”
—Johann Zarco, Rider.
Navigating Pressure and Seizing Freedom
Zarco openly contrasted his Honda freedom with the relentless expectations that came with a Ducati. He noted that when riding for a top team, even a minor slip in finishing position could be disastrous:
“With a Ducati, if you go from fighting for 3rd to 12th, it’s a disaster.”
—Johann Zarco, Rider. In contrast, mid-pack results with Honda meant he could focus on development and self-improvement without the added weight of constant scrutiny.
Despite ending last year’s world championship in seventeenth position, Zarco received recognition as Honda’s top performer, delivering top-ten finishes at Mandalika and Buriram. As the 2025 season unfolded, Zarco achieved significant milestones, including an impressive home victory in the rain at Le Mans and a podium at Silverstone in dry conditions. Though his results have fluctuated since, Zarco remains Honda’s top contender, standing seventh overall after ten rounds, a notable achievement given the team’s ongoing rebuild.
What the Future Holds for Zarco
Zarco’s contract, like Luca Marini’s, will expire at the conclusion of this season, inviting speculation about his next move. While the 34-year-old has hinted at interest in potentially joining the factory HRC team in 2026, current indications suggest he will likely continue with LCR, where he has carved out a unique place as both a leader and a benchmark within the team.
The resilience and adaptability Johann Zarco has displayed through his MotoGP career decisions stand as a testament to his commitment to personal growth and competitive spirit. As racing continues and new opportunities arise, Zarco’s journey remains a notable example of a rider willing to embrace risk, challenge convention, and shape his own destiny in the world championship paddock.
