Breaking news
MotoGP
Espargaro: "Brave" Zarco/KTM split good for both parties
Pol Espargaro says MotoGP teammate Johann Zarco’s departure from KTM at the end of this season was the “right decision” for both rider and team.
Lewis Duncan
Edited: Aug 23, 2019, 4:25 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Zarco sensationally asked KTM to release him from his two-year deal at the end of the last round in Austria, amid a tough campaign aboard the RC16 which has yielded just one top 10 finish from the first 11 events.
Espargaro says he was aware of Zarco’s decision before it was made public, and praised his “very brave move”, while also acknowledging the split is best given his teammate’s current state of mind.
“He told me he was not having a good time,” Espargaro said when asked if Zarco had spoken to him about the decision.
“He was not happy and to ride this bike you need to enjoy it. As soon as you are not enjoying it, you are not fast.
“He was not in a good moment, a very bad moment, he was not happy and this was a right decision for both sides.
“But anyway it is very hard and very brave decision from Johann's side. I don't know anybody who has done this before. From both sides, it is a very brave movement.”
KTM offered Jack Miller Zarco’s seat when it looked like Jorge Lorenzo could take Miller's Pramac Ducati ride – though the Australian has since re-signed with the customer Ducati squad.
Currently, Tech 3 KTM rookie Miguel Oliveira is the likely candidate to partner Espargaro, but he is still contracted to Herve Poncharal’s squad for 2020.
Commenting on this, Oliveira says his “obligation” is to Tech3 until KTM says otherwise, and insists he would not take offence if the second works team KTM went to another rider.
“I know my obligations are with Tech 3 for 2020 at the moment,” he said. “Obviously it was a surprise for everyone to hear Zarco is not taking part in the team next year, he’s a great loss for the project, because he’s a fantastic rider – not only professionally, but also personal side.
“He’s in a tough situation at the moment. I know this could be an opportunity but it’s not up to me to decide.
“My obligations are here [at Tech 3] and I will continue to believe that way until they prove to me [it’s] the other way around. It’s quite simple.
“Since May, I know what I’m doing in 2020, this is my way of thinking. This situation is quite new, last week we were all shocked about the news.
“For sure there needs to be some restructuring, but it’s not possible in one week. We need to wait and see the decisions, but if the decision comes it will be very quick, it will be quite simple.”
In the immediate aftermath of Zarco’s announcement, KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa moved to quell any speculation he could come out of retirement to take his place next season.
Additional reporting by Jamie Klein
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Miller admits KTM 2020 chance was "tough to turn down"
Next article Zarco feared "failing my career" by staying with KTM
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Lewis Duncan
Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
Marquez “comfortable” on Ducati MotoGP bike “but not ready for podium”
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
Brivio: Trackhouse offers 'great opportunity' for MotoGP and NASCAR worlds to collide
Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar Official Testing
Marini urges patience at Honda as new MotoGP season approaches
More from
Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco says “I didn’t want to break the engine” after Malaysian GP DNF
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Johann Zarco says “I didn’t want to break the engine” after Malaysian GP DNF
Johann Zarco retires from Australian GP sprint: It was “dangerous” to continue
MotoGP
MotoGP
Australian GP
Johann Zarco retires from Australian GP sprint: It was “dangerous” to continue
MotoGP 2027 grid: All confirmed rider signings
MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP 2027 grid: All confirmed rider signings
More from
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
10 min
Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor
Alex Marquez undergoes surgery on his right shoulder and begins recovery at home
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
Alex Marquez undergoes surgery on his right shoulder and begins recovery at home
Latest news
Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
10 min
Pedro Acosta signs Monster as personal sponsor
How young can a Formula 1 world champion actually be?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 35 min
How young can a Formula 1 world champion actually be?
Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme
WRC
WRC WRC 2 h
Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe