Johann Zarco explains ‘important’ point to prove amid uncertain MotoGP future

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Johann Zarco has a point to prove once again in the 2025 MotoGP season as the LCR rider faces an uncertain future as his contract at the satellite Honda team is expiring.

The 34-year-old is out of sync with the main trend of the MotoGP rider market following his move from Pramac to LCR in 2024. Zarco switched from the then-satellite Ducati team to the satellite Honda outfit to replace Alex Rins as LCR gifted the Frenchman a two-year contract.

So, Zarco is one of just five MotoGP riders who will be out of contract at the end of the 2025 season. Two more of those five are also Honda pilots, with factory rider Luca Marini also out of sync with the market and 2025 rookie Somkiat Chantra only has a one-year deal with LCR.

LCR’s Johann Zarco feels it is ‘important’ to be the top Honda rider in 2025

Zarco, then, once again has a point to prove to secure his future on the MotoGP grid, which the Cannes native joined back in 2017. Through his 144 premier class races so far, Zarco has only secured one victory – coming in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix – and has 21 podiums.

One advantage Zarco has over the likes of Marini and Chantra as he seeks a contract for the 2026 MotoGP season is that the LCR star was the top-scoring Honda rider in 2024. While he only came 17th in the championship and sealed two top-10 finishes, Zarco scored 55 points.

READ MORE: Every MotoGP team’s confirmed 2025 rider line-up and contract details

LCR teammate Takaaki Nakagami, who has now moved to an official HRC test rider role, also outscored factory Honda riders Joan Mir (21) and Marini (14) with his 31 points. Now, Zarco feels it may be key to again be the top Honda star in 2025 with the new regulations in 2027.

“There is a goal within the goal,” Zarco has told Motosan. “That is we try to be in the top 10 [and] to progress. But we will say that as long as I remain the number one rider for Honda, I will be able to maintain credibility.

“So, whatever the level of the bike, if I remain No1 for the brand, at least I can maintain the brand’s trust in me. That can be important.

“But after that, it’s about aiming for 2027 when, you never know thanks to the change of regulations and bikes, there could suddenly be an advantage for Honda.”

Johan Zarco fears Honda’s 2025 bike could be worse than their 2024 challenger

The 2024 MotoGP season was a year of abject disappointment for Honda as they came last in the constructors’ championship with just 75 points, as well as last in the teams’ standings with 35 points – ranking behind LCR in 10th with 86 points, 55 adrift of Trackhouse in ninth.

The signs for 2025 might not be much better, too, as Zarco fears Honda’s 2025 bike may be worse than in 2024 after testing the latest version of the RC213V. Even factory rider Marini fears Honda cannot catch Ducati until MotoGP introduces its next set of regulations in 2027.

MotoGP will radically change the regulations in 2027 with aerodynamic restrictions plus the reduction from 1,000cc to 850cc engines. So, if Zarco is again the top-scoring Honda rider in 2025 and shows he can guide their development, the Frenchman could secure his future.