KTM has officially confirmed that Johann Zarco will compete for his MotoGP factory team in 2019 and 2020.
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The Frenchman has been a revelation since joining MotoGP with Monster Yamaha Tech3 at the beginning of last season.
Although Tech3 was confirmed to be joining KTM in 2019, Herve Poncharal knew he had a very slim chance of keeping Zarco – and openly stated that the 27-year-old deserved to ride for an official team.
My career will continue where it all begins, from the RedBull Rookies Cup to winning the MotoGP title. You get it, I’ll be joining @KTM_Racing for the next two years. I am very happy to ride this KTM with which we have the same ambitions: Ready to race! @ Michelin_Sport pic.twitter.com/H5j0b6c4Zp
– Johann Zarco (@ JohannZarco1) May 3, 2018
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The rumors about Zarco-Red Bull KTM have been widespread since last November, although Repsol Honda and Suzuki have also expressed interest in the two-time Moto2 champion. However, Suzuki turned down Zarco for 2017 in favor of Alex Rins, while the Honda seat would have been number two from world champion Marc Marquez.
Zarco will join Pol Espargaro, who signed on Wednesday, with Bradley Smith losing.
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In 2007, before starting his Grand Prix career, Zarco was the first Red Bull Rookies Cup champion. The 27-year-old is currently tied with Cal Crutchlow in fourth place in the MotoGP standings and the top satellite awards.
“Since the Red Bull Rookies Cup there has always been good contact with Johann,” says KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer. “We supported the Moto2 project through WP and our Moto3 team manager Aki Ajo is a good friend of his. We also have a good connection with his manager Laurent Fellon.
“It was a group effort to do this. We had to trust our ability to build a winning bike and Johann wouldn’t come by if he didn’t see and feel that trust. We feel very responsible now to make this package strong enough do.” so that he can continue at the level he is at. That is our big goal. “
“It is clear that we want to take another step in MotoGP. The first two years were about building the project and getting everything up and running. You always want to get the best possible drivers on board and it is obvious that Johann beats the factory people on satellite machines and consistently qualifies in the front row, which means that he is a strong fighter with a strong spirit.
“I am convinced that with a driver like Johann we can reach the next level with us.”
A Yamaha satellite rider has never won a four-stroke MotoGP race, but Zarco finished just 0.337 seconds before the Valencia win last year and lost just 0.251 seconds to Crutchlow in Argentina this year. The Frenchman has also been at the forefront of the race at every event from Phillip Island 2017 to Austin 2018.
But choosing KTM over Honda and Suzuki is a bold decision as the RC16 has yet to take a significant step forward in its second season. KTM’s best result so far this year is eleventh place and they are currently sixth and last in the constructors’ championship.
The new Tech3 KTM seats have yet to be decided, although at least one machine is expected to go to either Miguel Oliveira or Brad Binder, the factory’s official Moto2 riders.
KTM is only joining Movistar Yamaha to complete its driver-up for 2019.