Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Johann Zarco says he is expecting to have a strong race tomorrow despite qualifying in a lowly 14th.
The French rider had to go through the first part of qualifying after failing to run the correct tyres at the right time in Friday practice. With rain affecting FP3 on Saturday morning, Zarco was stuck in 13th.
A novice at wet weather riding in the MotoGP class, but proving to be an expert in the conditions in his Moto2 days, Zarco was in the hunt for a QP2 spot. However, he used up the best of his wet rubber by the closing stages of QP1 and his 1m49.916s was only good enough for 14th.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to get into the top 10 in FP2 and then it was not possible to lower the lap time in practice this morning due to the rain,” said Zarco.
“I wasn’t in the top 10 yesterday afternoon because we didn’t play enough with the tyres and do a quick lap at the right moment. I was a bit unlucky and it’s a shame to not be further up the grid, but I will learn from this.”
Despite the slightly lacklustre grid spot, Zarco is brimming with confidence ahead of tomorrow’s 25-lap grand prix. The double Argentina winner put in a run in practice on the harder tyres which turned heads in the paddock, and he is feeling comfortable on his YZR-M1
“I am confident and we expect to have a good race tomorrow. The work that we have completed is satisfying and my confidence with the bike is always increasing.
“I feel good on the track here and I can control the YZR-M1 well, the overall feeling is very positive so let’s see what we can do.”
Team-mate Jonas Folger got caught out by the drying track conditions in QP2, which saw him struggle somewhat with the front as he had been using a softer suspension setting.
The German took his Yamaha to 11th on the grid with a 1m49.825s, and is optimistic that the work done on the set-up of his bike throughout practice will have him in contention for a strong result tomorrow afternoon.
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