Johann Zarco is in a unique position as he awaits the 2024 MotoGP season. While he’s certain that he will be riding a Honda, the exact team he’ll be representing remains a mystery. As of now, his contract, signed a couple of months ago, ties him to Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR Honda Team. However, since the agreement is directly between Zarco and Honda, the Japanese manufacturer has the final say on where the French rider will compete next season.
Marc Márquez’s departure from the Repsol Honda Team at the end of this season leaves a coveted spot open in the official Japanese team. This seat, historically, has been both a blessing and a challenge. Notable riders like Jorge Lorenzo and Pol Espargaró have faced challenges in this position, and Joan Mir is currently navigating his own set of challenges.
Zarco, however, remains calm and patient about his future. During the Indonesian Grand Prix, the 33-year-old rider mentioned that he’s still waiting to see how Honda envisions the future. He emphasized that his contract is “direct with HRC” and that stepping into Marc’s shoes “would make sense.”
But Zarco also understands Lucio Cecchinello’s perspective. Cecchinello expressed earlier this week that he doesn’t want to lose Zarco. From Zarco’s point of view, racing for LCR Honda Team wouldn’t be much different from racing for the official team, given that he’s contracted for an official bike and will be involved in its development. However, being in the official team carries a certain prestige, especially when it means filling the shoes of someone like Marc Márquez.
For now, Zarco is watching and waiting, leaving the decision to Honda. He mentioned that he’ll be having discussions over the weekend and is looking forward to a clear direction from Honda. He took a risk leaving Ducati and was one of the first to sign with Honda during this critical period. Thus, becoming a factory rider after all these decisions would be a golden opportunity for him.
Recent rumors suggest that Honda might be considering Miguel Oliveira for Marc Márquez’s bike. Zarco isn’t bothered by these speculations. He believes that Honda’s need to finalize their four riders for the upcoming season justifies their talks with other riders. Zarco, with his existing contract with Honda, feels that it would be logical for him to ascend to the official team, not just as a promotion but to occupy the esteemed position of a factory rider.