Zarco: Top-10 finish in Qatar "not a crazy target"
Johann Zarco says finishing inside the top 10 in his first MotoGP race as a factory KTM rider is an achievable goal.
The French rider moves across to KTM this year after spending two seasons with the Tech 3 Yamaha team, and will make his race debut with the Austrian manufacturer at one of his happiest hunting grounds.
In his first-ever MotoGP start, Zarco led the opening portion of the 2017 Qatar race before he crashed out after seven laps, while last year he scored pole position with a new record lap, albeit slumping to eighth in the race itself.
Zarco heads to Qatar with more modest ambitions this time around, but still feels that breaching the top 10 is within reach.
"For qualifying it will be difficult to be in Q2 immediately," conceded Zarco. "[To] make Q1 and come in Q2 is also something difficult because I have little experience in Q1.
"Sometimes some riders in Q1 are faster than the top eight in Q2. But I believe that with a good work and good control of the bike, a top 10 finish in the race is not a crazy target to fix.
"I would be happy in the top 12 [in qualifying], that would help me to reach the top 10 in the race."
Zarco concluded the opening official test of 2019 at Sepang as best of the KTM runners, edging out teammate Pol Espargaro for 17th place on the timesheets on the final day of running.
Reflecting on the test, Zarco said the improvement he felt compared to the post-season tests of 2018 in Valencia and Jerez came as a shock to him.
"After a good test in Sepang, I can really feel happy that all the work we do, it's beginning to pay [off]," said the 28-year-old. "As long as I can keep high motivation, I feel I can reach some good targets.
"We have many things to test, it's true, we need time to try these things because it's not coming everything immediately.
"I did not expect to have a good improvement like I got in Malaysia. This really gave me a smile to feel ok, [that] even if sometimes I struggle, the results can come.
"It's true our opponents are also improving and going fast, and we have to go up faster than them to catch their level. I don't know when the results will show we are on the same level as them, but I hope as soon as possible."
On his progress adapting his riding style to the RC16, Zarco added: "Everything is coming step-by-step. There are so many things to control, it's not only one big thing makes the difference.
"It's true about the style I try to think during the winter what I can do better, what I can change on my body to open a new door and try it. But not changing everything, because with the good results I got before, it means my natural skills are good.
"I need to keep improving, and at the same time the bike is coming with a better set-up for me."
Additional reporting by Maria Reyer
Johann Zarco, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Previous article
Ducati: Rider teamwork will mean fewer wasted points
Next article
Quartararo adamant he's not too young for MotoGP
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Johann Zarco |
| Teams | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
| Author | Jamie Klein |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
