Johann Zarco says he is “not focussing” on securing his first MotoGP victory after finishing second for the third time in 2021 in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
The Frenchman sits third overall in the riders standings after five races, just 12 points adrift of series leader Fabio Quartararo, Zarco describing his run to second at home in France as the “perfect result” heading to Ducati’s home event at Mugello for the Italian GP in two weeks time.
The Pramac racer has now finished as runner-up seven times in his premier class career following his charge through to the position after opting for the best tyre strategy during the mixed condition Le Mans encounter, but insisted this stat didn’t bother him as he looks to continue building a championship challenge, Zarco affirming he didn’t want to make a “mistake” by trying too hard to achieve his first MotoGP success.
“We are still there in the championship, so this is a perfect result heading to the next races,” said Zarco.
“It’s so positive for us (recent Ducati success) it brings a lot of happiness inside everyone at Ducati which is really important for their home race at Mugello, it’s good to have a bike that just works (wherever) so you can free your mind and just go.
“I hope so (achieving first victory soon) but if I got a load of second to win a championship I would be just as happy, if I get so focussed on trying to achieve a victory and then make a mistake this would be bad so it will come when it comes and I’ll be ready to catch it.”
The two-time Moto2 world champion urged that he is “not disappointed” to come up short of success once again considering the tricky conditions faced by the riders throughout the French contest, crediting the decision to opt for the medium compound rear tyre as the main catalyst for his charge back through the field on an ever-drying circuit.
“My start was pretty bad and I had to try and avoid Franco Morbidelli who had a little problem so I was wide at the first corner, and I had lost many positions by the exit of the first chicane,” continued Zarco.
“The rain started on the first lap but nobody stopped so I stayed out, but then a lot more rain came on the second lap and it was difficult to get to pit lane on the slicks because you know that you can crash at any time.
“I was fifth after swapping to the other (wet weather prepared) bike which was good but the choice of medium rear tyre was tricky with all the water on the track, I lost a bit of time and needed four laps to feel grip and be ready to push.
“From then on I could push hard and be fast enough to recover positions, not enough to get the victory but I’m not disappointed because to get second in these conditions is great, as the wind the pretty strong too so it was very easy to do a mistake.”
