Johann Zarco shared his optimism about Honda’s new parts and disclosed it had “a very different feeling” following the MotoGP test at Misano last week.
The Frenchman trialled a selection of new parts for the Honda RC213V, with the Japanese marque attempting to get back to the front of the grid.
Honda’s disastrous 2024 season puts them last in the Constructors’ standings and the final two spots in the Teams’ standings.
Zarco has performed the maximum he can aboard his LCR Honda and is the only Honda rider to successfully qualify into Q2 automatically via the Friday practice sessions in 2024.
“I think we understand more things,” he told MotoGP.com. “We got three ‘blocks’ to try, and we got some good feedback.
“It was a very different feeling on the bike, which is good; we cannot see it on the performance, on the lap time yet, because all the others are so fast and we didn’t improve the lap time.
“This feeling is very important, and I think we got this different feeling because the one before was not good and was not helping to go faster.
“I think now we did something that, working with that, I hope we can do another step.”
Honda brought in new aerodynamical parts and an up-to-date new chassis, with Zarco stating post-race after the first Misano race that significant changes needed to be made to the Honda to boost its competitiveness.
“We were trying things on the aerodynamics,” Zarco said. “I think everyone can see it.
“Also on the chassis, we have tried things to get a better feeling in acceleration, and I think we got it. Now we have to see how to use it to perform.”
Asked if Honda now has a direction to head in to continue developing the RC213V, Zarco said: “I think yes.
“We will see how will be Misano 2. I expect it will be still very difficult. But, maybe for the Asian races, I hope we can get some opportunities of good results.”
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