Johann Zarco fears one Ducati figure even more than Marc Marquez as Honda try to catch them

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Johann Zarco has been the most exciting part of Honda’s 2025 MotoGP season as he has led them to new heights.

The Frenchman ended their two-year win drought with an excellent performance at a soaked French Grand Prix. Winning his home race of all things was a dream come true.

He was linked with a promotion to Honda’s factory team for 2026 at one stage, but it now seems that he will remain with LCR Team for now.

At the age of 34, he may be the oldest rider on the MotoGP grid, but Zarco is performing at a higher level than most on a bike that wasn’t expected to do much this year.

Peter Bom reckons Honda would be ’20 years behind’ without Zarco, such has been how impressive he has been. Sitting eighth in the championship is a great return.

After missing out on Jorge Martin, Honda were told to sign the ‘remarkable’ Zarco before they went ahead and renewed current rider Luca Marini. They seem content with their line-up for now.

READ MORE: Honda have formed a new rider line-up ‘plan’ for the 2026 season that will delight Valentino Rossi

Johann Zarco fears Luigi Dall’Igna more than Marc Marquez as Honda chase Ducati

Just a few months ago, Zarco summed up how riders feel about Marc Marquez by admitting that he doesn’t understand some of the things that the Spaniard does.

Currently, he’s aiming to overcome the Spaniard in the future, but understands that Honda still has a very long way to go.

Actually, speaking on the Paddock Pass Podcast, he admitted that Luigi Dall’Igna is the man for Honda to focus on beating, rather than anyone else.

“I hope they can have the right ideas to bring on the bike, to develop the bike and compete against Gigi Dall’Igna,” he said.

“Even modern Ducatis compete against Gigi. And now, last year I could feel that we are so far. That was really thinking, can it happen good [can Honda get better?], it can be good or not? I don’t know.

“Finally, when it began to be better at the beginning of the season, I realised that it seemed we were so far, but we were not so far.”

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

Stefan Bradl admits Honda technology ‘not at a level’ to compete with Ducati

Joan Mir has criticised Zarco for what he wouldn’t bring to their factory team as a rider. He suggests that his feedback is poor.

Which is unusual, given his experience. Another man at Honda with experience is test rider Stefan Bradl, who has picked out one main thing they need to do better if they want to beat Ducati.

“But I don’t think they’ll be fighting for the world championship title right away,” he told SPEEDWEEK. “The technology is still not at a level where they can consistently compete with Ducati.”

The big opportunity to catch Ducati will be in 2027, with a new set of regulations. With strong investment and focus, they’ll be ones to watch out for.