Johann Zarco has officially left the KTM MotoGP team with immediate effect, has been confirmed, and Mika Kallio is returning to racing in his place.
The Frenchman is barely more than half a season into his original two-year contract, but difficulties adjusting to the KTM RC16 package, coupled with increasing bitterness between him and team management, have resulted in the contract being terminated much earlier.
Although the two parties originally agreed on a contract change that would lead Zarco through the end of the season, it is not in KTM’s interest to keep the six-time podium winner at the RC16 as the company prepares to draw its attention until 2020 MotoGP bike development, especially when joining a rival as a test rider [see below]
As such, Kallio will end the season alongside Pol Espargaro, the Finn who will make his first MotoGP races in a row since 2010.
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KTM points out, however, that Zarco has been released from his MotoGP duties, but will remain under contract with KTM until the end of the year and will not be able to compete for another team.
Where is Johann Zarco riding in MotoGP 2020?
Despite having talked about returning to Moto2, it is unlikely that Zarco – who won his titles in racing with a focused Ajo Motorsport team – will receive the same privilege when he returns. On top of that, he’s done enough in MotoGP to justify not going back to a series he’s already dominated.
Therefore, a test role with a manufacturer – with the reservation of a third driver as wildcards – seems more likely. Although the Japanese manufacturers used to err in the direction of local drivers for development tasks, recently they have entrusted this to European racing drivers with racing experience.
In terms of options, Ducati seems very pleased with Michele Pirro, Suzuki has attributed much of its success to veteran Sylvain Guintoli, and Aprilia is inferior to KTM in terms of competitiveness.
A spot at Honda could become vacant should HRC add Stefan Bradl to their new WorldSBK team, while the manufacturer will likely have the most vulnerable factory seat to win if Jorge Lorenzo continues to struggle alongside Marc Marquez.
Then there is Yamaha, where Zarco raced with impressive successes in 2017 and 2018. The manufacturer’s future beyond 2021 – specifically, whether Valentino Rossi is retiring, whether Fabio Quartararo is moving up, and whether Franco Morbidelli and Maverick Vinales are getting back to their form – makes them likely the most attractive option in terms of several possibilities.
However, it has just added a European tester to its roster, Zarco’s old Tech 3 teammate Jonas Folger, even if his fitness is not guaranteed due to persistent problems with the debilitating Gilbert syndrome.
Johann Zarco: wasted talent or unproven ability?
On paper, any team would be lucky enough to have Zarco on their roster as a test driver for his quality, but the reality of keeping him busy could be a little more complicated.
Any deal Zarco writes must almost certainly include a guarantee on a racing seat for 2021, and while that puts him in a good negotiating position since most MotoGP deals close in late 2020, it’s still pretty early for manufacturers to think far ahead.
Indeed, since Zarco’s dismal season – and his somewhat questionable stance – at KTM will undoubtedly make some manufacturers think about his viability, signing a guaranteed contract for 2021 is also a huge amount of pressure on two existing riders in 2019, there they know that one of them is destined to lose their seat in 2021. Perhaps, however, depending on your leadership style, this isn’t a bad thing …
In addition, will he be able to drive the development of certain machines with his smooth, progressive riding style, which has clearly not yet found his rhythm with the KTM?
On the other hand, Zarco is a two-time Moto2 world champion and has six podiums and three pole positions in just two seasons.
Mika Kallio switches to KTM for MotoGP 2020?
This news offers Kallio the perfect opportunity to secure a full-time return to MotoGP in 2020.
The Finn will always be high on KTM’s list for 2020 as he played an integral role in the development of the KTM RC16, but management likely wanted a rider with more recent racing experience and was willing to wait until November to find one To make a decision.
In addition, with the great commitment to sign Dani Pedrosa as KTM chief test driver – without even wanting to race – Kallio has the chance to leave his role as “other test driver” in the last few laps and to secure a top position alongside Espargaro apply also in 2020.
It wouldn’t hurt Dorna to have a Finn on the 2020 MotoGP grid either, as Finland’s new MotoGP will be added to the schedule at the KymiRing.