Johann Zarco’s manager reveals what he told Honda mechanics in ‘super anxious’ French Grand Prix moment

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Johann Zarco claimed an unexpected win at the Grand Prix of France. The 34-year-old has become the first Frenchman to win on home soil in the premier class in 71 years.

It has been a long time away from the top step of the podium for Zarco and Honda. The French Grand Prix is only Zarco’s second win in MotoGP; he grabbed his first at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix.

Zarco’s victory is also Honda’s first since 2023, when Alex Rins won the Americas Grand Prix. The Frenchman took a huge gamble on wet tyres in the chaotic race at Le Mans.

The LCR rider was one of a few on the grid to start the race on wets in the unpredictable conditions. Lucio Cecchinello visually showed Zarco the weather forecast before the race, allowing him to ‘trust’ the team’s decision.

As the heavens opened and the field darted to the pits to change from slick tyres, Zarco took the lead, having been 17th at one point. From there, he controlled the race on his RC213V to beat the Ducatis of Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer.

Zarco won by almost 20 seconds – the largest winning margin of the season thus far. His pace left the Honda garage ‘super anxious’ as he combatted the wet conditions.

Johann Zarco’s manager told Honda mechanics to slow him down during ‘super anxious’ French Grand Prix

In a race with six retirements and 12 riders finishing on the lead lap, Zarco was in a league of his own after the pit stops. He was going faster by a second on his Honda, which left his team feeling nervous in the closing stages.

Having built a huge margin, Zarco’s manager Guillaume Valladeau revealed on MotoGP’s After The Flag that he told Honda’s mechanics to slow him down, fearing he may crash out like fellow compatriot Fabio Quartararo, who started on pole.

“We were all saying that. I was talking to the mechanics and saying: ‘Oh guys, you should say he has to go slower now because he’s OK!’ he said.

“It was a crazy moment and a lot of pressure. I was super anxious to be frank with you. And I think all, we were very anxious because lap times, [we were] improving each lap one second better.

“So it was like: ‘Wow, maybe now he should go a little bit slower’. But Johann is on the bike, so he knows exactly what he’s doing and he has experience. We will ask him what he was thinking.”

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

Johann Zarco is on a mission to improve Honda – he wants a factory seat

Zarco remains Honda’s lead rider in 2025 as he sits sixth in the standings after the opening six races. The Frenchman has been a level above his colleagues, as Joan Mir and Luca Marini struggle for consistency at the factory team.

Zarco is receiving ‘first-rider treatment’ at Honda as he currently seems to be the only one at the team capable of top results. It is therefore no surprise that he is targeting a factory seat come 2026.

Honda could demote Marini to LCR and promote Zarco, with the pair out of contract in 2025. The latter is looking to take the manufacturer back to the top of MotoGP.

Zarco does not want to hear about Honda’s upgrades as he claims it does not help him on his ‘mission’. He is solely focused on his efforts on the track, which are paying off handsomely so far in 2025.