Johann Zarco
Quick Stats:
Team: LCR Honda
Nationality: French
D.O.B: 16/07/1990
Title Wins: 0
Wins: 1
Podiums: 21
bio:
Johann Zarco moved into minimoto championships in 2004 and in 2005, he finished as runner-up in the Senior Mini European Championship. He also finished runner-up in the 2006 European Open Championship. Zarco won the Red Bull Rookies Cup Championship in 2007 and this allowed him to become part of the Red Bull MotoGP Academy. Zarco made his Grand Prix debut in the 125cc class in 2009 with the WTR San Marino Team. He remained with the team for the 2010 season. In 2011, Zarco moved to the Ajo Motorsport team and ended his time in the 125cc series with 11 podiums including 1 win.
Zarco moved up to Moto2 in 2012 with the JiR Team where he was the highest placed rookie of the year. He moved to the Ioda Project Racing Team in 2013 and improved on his rookie season by finishing on the podium twice. In 2014, he moved to the new Caterham Moto Racing Team where once again he impressed with 4 podium finishes. 2015 was Zarco’s best season yet as he moved over to Ajo Motorsport and was able to win the championship with 14 podiums including 8 wins. He stayed with the team for 2016 and was able to successfully defend his Moto2 title with 10 podiums including 7 wins. In 2017, Zarco moved up to the premier class with the Tech3 Yamaha team and impressed throughout the season to finish as rookie of the year and 6thplace in the championship overall. 2018 was a similar season for Zarco as he achieved pole positions and podiums finishes to once again finish 6th place overall. For the 2019 season, Zarco moved to the Red Bull KTM Factory team. It was a tough season for the Frenchman which ended with KTM releasing him from his contract early and replace him with test rider Mika Kallio for the last part of the season. Zarco was then offered a place at LCR Honda for the last three races of the 2019 season due to an injury from Takaaki Nakagami. For the 2020 season, Zarco signed a one-year deal with Avinitia Esponsorama Racing. He achieved the team’s first ever pole position and achieved a podium the same weekend. For 2021, Zarco signed with Pramac Racing where he has remained with a contract until the end of 2023. He continues to achieve podiums and consistent point finishes, but the Frenchman still awaits his maiden win.
The maiden win finally came for Zarco at the Australian GP in 2023. A new challenge awaits for the Frenchman as he joins the struggling Honda camp with LCR Honda.