Johann Zarco admits he is ‘missing’ something that has prevented him becoming a MotoGP champion

Add as preferred source on Google

Johann Zarco is the oldest and most experienced rider on the MotoGP grid in 2025. However, the Frenchman has not been able to reach the top of the premier class.

Winning two Moto2 titles back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, Zarco stepped up to MotoGP in 2017 with the then-satellite Yamaha team Tech3, with whom he scored six podiums in two seasons, finishing sixth in both years.

Riding with KTM and Honda in 2019, the 34-year-old moved to Ducati in 2020. He spent one season with Esponsorama Racing before moving to Pramac in 2021.

Zarco secured his first and only win in the premier class with the Tuscany-based team in Australia in 2023, grabbing a total of 14 podiums. Despite being competitive with Pramac, the Frenchman could only manage a best finish of fifth in the standings.

In 2024, the Frenchman decided to return to Honda, joining satellite team LCR. While this was a backwards step, Zarco feels more valued by Honda’s salary than what Ducati could offer.

The Japanese manufacturer were hugely disappointing last season, with Zarco being their top rider in 17th. Honda are making huge steps forward in 2025, but the 34-year-old cannot help but feel that he is ‘missing’ sometihng.

Johann Zarco admits he is ‘missing’ being on the ‘cloud’ where everything flows well to win a MotoGP title

Speaking on the YouTube channel brooap while at private testing at the Circuit de Alcarras, Zarco discussed why he feels he has not become a MotoGP champion.

The LCR rider admits he has never been on the ‘cloud where everything is fine’ and he has no issues on the bike. He feels he is ‘missing’ the ability to get that final podium or win, particularly in his Ducati days.

“When everything is going well, he does not give up and he becomes world champion,” he said.

“And from my part, I know that I experienced that in Moto2 and in MotoGP, I almost had it, but I have the impression that I never managed to be completely in it on this cloud where everything is fine and you do not let go.

“Every time, I had problems, maybe I created these problems for myself and during the Ducati period, I didn’t play, I couldn’t play in a championship.

“I even tried to play for the first three places, but I did not manage to get the final podium in MotoGP. And that’s what I’m missing.”

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

Johann Zarco is trying to learn from Marc Marquez to produce performance at Honda

So far in 2025, Zarco has been one of the surprise packages of the season. He has often been able to battle the Ducatis with his RC213V at the front, finishing fourth in the Sprint in Argentina and the Qatar Grand Prix.

Honda are giving Zarco ‘first-rider treatment’ with his performances, as factory rider and 2020 champion Joan Mir struggled to stay on his bike, with four retirements from five Grand Prix.

It is also a worry for Luca Marini, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Neil Hodgson thinks Zarco should be promoted to the factory team, but the Frenchman is still looking to learn more.

The 34-year-old has been looking at Marc Marquez’s old data at Honda to improve – the Spaniard won his six MotoGP titles with the team in the 2010s.

Zarco ‘cannot understand’ Marquez’s speed through left-hand corners, but he has the privilege of studying the data of a multiple world champion. It seems to be paying off as he sits seventh in the standings ahead of his home race at Le Mans.