Johann Zarco’s strategic choice to stay with the LCR team has led to impressive results in recent MotoGP races, including a victory in France and a second-place finish in England. His decision to remain with the satellite team rather than move to an official team has highlighted the importance of a positive team environment alongside high-performance equipment.
Clarifying Ducati’s Bike Development Approach
Óscar Haro, a key technician, addressed speculations about Ducati’s GP25 model, explaining that the manufacturer evolves its existing bike rather than building a completely new one each season. He emphasized that Ducati assesses what works and what doesn’t throughout the year to improve the bike incrementally, refuting rumors that the motorcycle was specially developed for Marc Márquez.
Choosing Stability over Official Team Offers
Zarco’s choice to reject several offers from official teams in favor of remaining with Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR squad proved prudent. Haro revealed,
“Zarco said that under equal economic conditions, between going to the official team or staying at LCR, he chose to stay with Lucho,”
underscoring the rider’s preference for a familiar and supportive environment. This includes declining a proposal from Alberto Puig during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
The Importance of Team Atmosphere for Rider Success
According to Haro, the comfortable and trusting atmosphere within the LCR team has been a critical factor in Zarco’s strong performance. He compared this with Ducati’s satellite team Pramac’s success last year with Jorge Martín, stating,
“Right now I believe that difference is made by being comfortable in the team, which is the difference that Pramac made last year with Jorge Martín.”
This underscores how a rider’s ease within a team can influence competitive outcomes.
Beyond Equipment: The Bigger Picture in Modern MotoGP
Zarco’s experience with LCR exemplifies the growing realization in MotoGP that technical equipment alone does not determine success. Trust, team cohesion, and tailored support systems are equally decisive in achieving top race finishes. Zarco’s case confirms that official teams are not always the best fit for every rider, highlighting the value of personalized team dynamics in the sport’s current landscape.
