Marco Bezzecchi
Johann Zarco is set for his second consecutive season with LCR Honda in the MotoGP World Championship in 2025.
The Frenchman will embark on his ninth season in the premier class, having spent most of his career as a satellite Ducati rider.
Zarco joined Esponsorama Racing in 2020 from LCR Honda – after competing in the final three races with the team in 2019 following his departure from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – and finished 13th in the standings before moving on to Pramac Racing, where he spent the next three years.
In that time, the 34-year-old was regularly at the top of the points-finishing places and scored several podiums, with 2023 being his best season to date. Zarco grabbed his maiden MotoGP win at the Australian Grand Prix, as well as six podiums to finish fifth in the Riders’ Championship with 225 points.
Despite this success, the Frenchman opted to leave the team and rejoined LCR Honda for the 2024 season, and as journalist Val Khorounzhiy pointed out, there was a ‘huge’ reason behind his decision.
Johann Zarco felt more valued by LCR Honda’s salary offer compared to Ducati
Speaking on The Race MotoGP Podcast, Khorounzhiy pointed out that Zarco felt more valued by LCR Honda’s offer compared to Ducati, and this is why he opted to return to the Monagasque team.
His current team were willing to shell out significantly more money to secure his services. And away from MotoGP, he strengthened his bond with Honda by winning the Suzuka Eight Hours in July.
“You just need enough to live comfortably but when you’re super competitive and everybody’s said your whole life told you how great you are, the money you’re being paid is also a big symbol of that.
“What’s this manufacturer ready to pay me? What’s this satellite team ready to pay me? It shows how much they want me, it shows how much I am valued relative to my peers.
“I mean that is why Johann Zarco is an LCR Honda rider right now and not a Ducati satellite rider. It’s that show of value and money is a huge part of that.”
Can Johann Zarco improve on his disappointing 2024 season in 2025?
While the move to LCR Honda brought him more value financially, Zarco went from his best MotoGP finish in 2023 to one of his worst in 2024.
Points finishes were regular for the 34-year-old as he failed to score only six times. However, Zarco only finished in the top 10 once as he ended the year 17th in the Riders’ Championship with 55 points, 24 ahead of his teammate Takaaki Nakagami.
The Frenchman is determined to return to the front of the field in 2025, but he will face a tough challenge against the Ducati and Aprilia runners. Zarco finished as the highest-placed Honda rider in 2024.
The 34-year-old will be partnered Somkiat Chandra in 2025 at LCR Honda. The Thai rider will be making his debut in the premier class after making the step up from Moto2.
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