Zarco “can’t rest”, even if MotoGP 2021 is “better than expected”

Zarco returned to factory driver status for the first time this year since leaving KTM after a disastrous 2019 after Ducati promoted him from Avintia to Pramac.

The Frenchman took four podium places in the first nine races – all of them second – and is currently 34 points behind leader Fabio Quartararo in second place overall.

Assessing the first half of his 2021 season, Zarco said, “It’s better than expectations, better than what I was able to announce at the start of the season.

“But once you are there you have to take this opportunity and it is my final goal to fight for the title and try to become world champion in MotoGP.

“So if it all has to come now, I have to be smart and take it. So it’s better than what I said, but I can’t rest just because it’s better.

“I just have to seize this moment and take it, so I’m pretty happy.

“And just thinking about the title, I could be disappointed to lose points to Fabio [at Assen] but when I think about the championship too, I’m glad I won over the drivers who are right behind me.

“Well, it was a good operation again.”

Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Although he hasn’t won a race in 2021, Zarco is the leading Ducati rider in the championship – but admits that doesn’t matter to him as his main goal is to beat Quartararo.

“The goal is to stay ahead of Fabio, it’s not the first Ducati,” he said.

“By standing behind Fabio, I’m the first Ducati, that’s good, but it’s not the main goal.

“With such a good position in the championship, the goal is to get more points and dream of being a world champion.

“With [Jack] Müller and [Francesco] Bagnaia I get along very well and that means that there are three very good drivers for Ducati who don’t fight against each other. “

Also read: