German Grand Prix: Zarco grabs front row and finishes 7th in Sachsenring Sprint

CASTROL Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco wrapped up Saturday’s Sprint at the Sachsenring with a solid 7th-place finish.

• After making it through Q1 with determination, Zarco delivered a strong performance in Q2 to secure second place on the grid for both the Sprint and Sunday’s main race.
• For the Sprint, Zarco opted for the medium rear tyre. This choice provided promising feedback during qualifying and was expected to perform better in lighter rain conditions, as was the case during the Sprint.
• However, this strategy ultimately compromised his race pace. He struggled to bring the tyre up to optimal temperature and extract its full potential, limiting his ability to fight for top positions.
• Despite these challenges, Zarco maintained focus and consistency, crossing the line in 7th place while gathering valuable points and crucial data ahead of Sunday’s race.

“I was convinced that with less rain than in qualifying, the medium tyre would work better, but that wasn’t the case; it couldn’t get up to temperature. I’m frustrated because I had a real shot at the podium, maybe even the win, in these conditions. Rain is forecast again for tomorrow, so we’ll analyze everything and decide. At least we scored some points, and that’s important. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”