MotoGP, Sportrik Media - LCR Honda team boss Lucio Cecchinello has revealed the reasons behind Johann Zarco’s dramatic drop in form during the second half of the 2025 MotoGP season, following what had been a highly impressive start with Honda.
Zarco began the year in outstanding fashion. He finished fifth in Argentina, fourth in Qatar, claimed a sensational victory at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, and then followed it up with a second-place podium at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. That run of results even lifted the Frenchman to fifth place in the championship standings at one stage of the season.
However, his momentum faded rapidly after Silverstone. Zarco crashed in three of the following four rounds, while his race results dipped as Honda’s latest development parts took several weeks to reach the LCR garage.
According to Cecchinello, Zarco’s outstanding early-season results created unrealistic expectations that pushed the French rider to overreach in an attempt to repeat his podium form.
“Without a doubt, we started the season very well,” Cecchinello said in Valencia.
“Fifth in Argentina, fourth in Qatar, we won in Le Mans and finished second at Silverstone.”
“So the first part of the season was really, really good for us, above our expectations. At one point we were fifth in the championship, and we were really enjoying it.”
But the reality changed in the second half of the year.
“In the second half of the season, we started to struggle. I think there are several reasons for that.”
Cecchinello explained that Zarco’s podium finishes at Le Mans and Silverstone were heavily influenced by extreme weather conditions.
“The results at Le Mans and Silverstone were extreme and strongly affected by the weather. At Silverstone it was very cold, and not every rider could feel comfortable with the front tyre.”
According to him, once a rider reaches the podium, the natural desire to repeat that success can quickly turn into pressure.
“When you step on the podium, you really want to achieve more top results. Eventually Johann started to have too many crashes, and those crashes did not help us at all.”
The situation was further complicated by delays in receiving Honda’s latest development parts.
“Honda produced some very good new components, but we had to wait a few weeks to get them. That created some disappointment, and Johann was not 100 percent focused on riding his bike.”
As a result of his difficult second half of the season, Zarco slipped out of the top ten in the standings and eventually finished the year in 12th place.
Despite this, his overall performance was still strong enough to convince Honda to secure his future. Zarco has since signed a new two-year contract extension through to the end of 2027, ensuring he continues to receive full factory support from the Japanese manufacturer.
With long-term stability now in place and Honda’s development programme continuing to progress, LCR believes Zarco has the potential to return to the front of the MotoGP grid next season.
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