Breaking news

MotoGP French GP

Zarco: Le Mans pole possible if not for Q1 strategy error

KTM MotoGP rider Johann Zarco claimed that he could have been in the mix for pole position in the qualifying session at Le Mans if not for a mistake in strategy in Q1.

David Gruz Léna Buffa

Edited: May 18, 2019, 5:07 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Johann Zarco, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

In mixed conditions, Zarco started the first part of qualifying on wet tyres but, like many of his rivals, he pitted for slicks when he saw Valentino Rossi's tyre gamble had begun to pay off.

But then track conditions worsened after that, and Zarco rushed into the pits to go back out on wets, yet had no time left in the session to challenge for a Q2 berth, settling for fourth.

Zarco, who was a promising fifth in the wet FP3 session, will still have his best starting position since joining KTM in 14th, but he felt that he could have been not far from the pole position fight.

"It was a shame, after a long time struggling, [in] conditions that usually I can feel good, was good to play almost the pole position I think today," said Zarco. "I missed the Q2, I was really on fire inside."

"Sad, disappointed and angry immediately after Q1 because we missed the strategy. Not about the slick tyres, for sure what Valentino did was very clever, but even with the rain tyres I felt that I can go faster.

"But when I went into the box I left with the slick, I came back in then it was too late do something."

When pressed on whether he felt he would've had a shot at pole in Q2, Zarco said: "Yes, I say it because is tricky condition and I have the experience from the Moto2 and also MotoGP. When is not full rain and not dry enough for slick. I can go pretty fast.

"Just in Q1 on the first tyre I did not do everything perfect but I was quite competitive. With second rain tyre I knew it was possible to do at least qualifying in Q2 - and then, finally the laptimes we were doing [in Q1], they were also competitive for pole position [in Q2].

"Don't forget that the target is to be on top and when we have a day something is possible, you must trust and have this target."

Zarco added that in mixed conditions he was able to feel some strong points with the RC16 bike for the first time.

"It is also first time since the beginning I am on the KTM that I feel some strong point on the bike.

"This give me a smile and back good motivation to feel that what we do, it is working. 14th tomorrow and the best for the race."

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

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Le Mans MotoGP: Marquez secures pole despite crashing

Next article Crutchlow: "Stupid rule" deciding Q2 spots not liked by riders

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Christian Horner's inside story of how Red Bull built its own F1 engine

Formula 1

Christian Horner's inside story of how Red Bull built its own F1 engine

Exclusive video: Christian Horner interview on his Red Bull exit, Mercedes rivalry and more

Formula 1

Exclusive video: Christian Horner interview on his Red Bull exit, Mercedes rivalry and more

M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover

WRC

WRC WRC 1 h

M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover

Why Bathurst 1000 has lost its international flavour

Supercars

Bathurst 1000

Why Bathurst 1000 has lost its international flavour

Feature

Discover prime content

MotoGP riders could get what they want, and fast, if only they would stand together

MotoGP

Indonesian GP

By Richard Asher

MotoGP riders could get what they want, and fast, if only they would stand together

Five things we learned from MotoGP's brutal Indonesian Grand Prix

MotoGP

Indonesian GP

By Richard Asher

Five things we learned from MotoGP's brutal Indonesian Grand Prix

The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight

MotoGP

Japanese GP

By Rachit Thukral

The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight

Five things we learned from MotoGP Japanese GP after tyre drama

MotoGP

Japanese GP

By Rachit Thukral

Five things we learned from MotoGP Japanese GP after tyre drama

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