Lucio Cecchinello says Johann Zarco is doing something he’s ‘never seen’ behind the scenes at Honda

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Honda have made huge improvements in MotoGP in the 2025 season. Johann Zarco has been key to their success thus far.

The Japanese manufacturer were bottom of the standings in 2024 by some considerable distance. After scoring just 75 points, Honda were desperate to get back to form in 2025.

Using the MotoGP concession system to their advantage, they have suddenly found performance from the RC213V. After four rounds in 2025, Honda are second in the standings, narrowly ahead of Aprilia, KTM and Yamaha.

LCR’s Zarco was the manufacturer’s highest-ranked Honda rider in 2024 with just 55 points. That remains the case in 2025, but so far this season, the Frenchman already has 38.

Honda’s improvements have been dramatic, but Zarco’s have been the most noticeable. He is putting in the effort behind the scenes at LCR, with fourth place in the Sprint in Argentina and the Qatar Grand Prix showing it is paying off.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Johann Zarco from career stats to net worth

Lucio Cecchinello has ‘never seen’ a MotoGP rider work with ‘so many renowned specialists’ like Johann Zarco

Speaking with GPOne, Honda chief Lucio Cecchinello lauded the 34-year-old’s work at LCR as he has surrounded himself with ‘so many renowned specialists. He has ‘never seen’ another rider do this before like Zarco.

“Johann Zarco has not only matured. In recent years he has also surrounded himself with a group of professionals. I have never seen a rider who has worked with so many renowned specialists,” he said.

“Like every MotoGP rider, he has an assistant, a trainer, a nutritionist, a mechanic who takes care of his training bikes and a mental coach. Johann is also training his high-performance vision, which is a kind of gymnastics for eye movement.

“This allows him to visually absorb as much information as possible in a short time, both at close range, for example on the dashboard, and at a greater distance.

“This group of specialists, who alternate at the races and in the pits, advise Johann very professionally.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about LCR from the MotoGP team’s riders to Honda ties

What does Johann Zarco’s future look like at Honda in 2026?

Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Zarco is sixth in the riders’ championship. While winning races on the RC213V is unlikely at this stage, the Frenchman has proved he can mix with the Ducatis.

Understandably, his performances have sparked conversation about his future. Zarco is contracted until 2025 at LCR, with rumours linking him to the factory Honda team for 2026.

Neil Hodgson has called for Zarco’s promotion at the expense of Luca Marini. The Italian has shown some improvement but is still struggling for top results, while Joan Mir remains highly crash-prone.

Marini says Zarco has a ‘unique’ riding style to explain how the Frenchman has a pace advantage at Honda. The 27-year-old will need to find some performance soon or he could risk losing his seat to the flying Frenchman.