Pedrosa back on track for KTM in June
Johann Zarco says he 'understands' recent criticism from KTM CEO Stefan P༒ierer.
At Jerez, Zarco was reportedly overheard by TV microphones telling the team of a 'shit' cha🏅ssis and power delivery when he return🌄ed to the pits after a fall in FP1.
That appeared to prompt a robust response from Pierer , where heꦡ labelled theꦯ team's new star signing as "a big disappointment".
"I saw the comments from Stefan Pierer when I was flying back from Jerez," Zarco said at Le Mans on Thursday. "I could not speak straight away with him, but anyway I ๊spoke to Pit Beirer and I understood why heꦅ said all of that.
"I was a bit on🌳 fire on Friday after the crash and I didn't say nice things about the bike I must develop, and I must accept the performance at the moment. I kind of los🐓t some control in that moment.
"So when the media came to him and tried to ‘pi🅰ck’ him about that, because this is his money that we put in this project, he could only answer in that way. You also know how Stefan is, a strong character,✱ so if you 'pick' him, he answers you.
"We know we have to be patient and improve the pro⛄ject, and we know it's going to take time, but sometimes in the [heat of the] moment we can lose a little bit oꦐf control.
"So I wasn't sad after these commen🥂ts [fr𒀰om Pierer] because I understood.
"Now things are going much better and I really hope and cross my fi🌼ngers that this weekend will be a good answer to everything ♑we could read in the media last week."
Zarco - whose💎 silky-smooth style on the Tech3 Yamaha produced six podiums, four poles and sixth in the world championship - is yet to better 13th place during his opening races as a factory KTM rider.
Team-mate Pol Esparꦜgaro has scored three-times as many points as the Frenchman, who is currentl𒐪y tied on points with rookie Tech3 KTM rider Miguel Oliveira for 18th in the world championship.
"Pol is in a good mood, healthy and doing a good jo💯b. That is very positive," Pierer said of the Spaniard during the same interview.
Espargaro claimed the RC16's first rostrum in the wet Valencia 20🐬18 race and 𒀰took the bike's best dry result with eighth in Austin this year.
"I am also very pleased with newcomer Miguel Oliveira, who quickly got on with the KTM in the MotoGP class. That's why we extended his contract right away๊," Pierer added.
Zarco has been adamant it would be a mistake to abandon the riding ⛄style that brought such spectacular success at Yamaha and believes helping make tꦛhe RC16 more rider-friendly will mean it is more competitive for everyone.
Pierer saw the situation slightly differently, pointinꩲg out it is the more aggressive V4ꦚ powered machines that have won all but two races since Assen 2017.
𓄧"There are two concepts. Honda, Ducati and KTM with the V4 engine, which Aprilia also has. For these bikes you need a certain, brave, riding style… not like the Yamaha.
"Yamaha has the inline engine concept, like Suzuki. With these a youngster can go straight up front - 💜for example, Quartararo and Rins.
"But the victories a𝔍re mostly by the V4 machines."
Nonetheless, Pierer conceded KTM - whic🌼h has slipped behind Aprilia for sixth and last in the constructors' championship - must also improve.
"We are in the third year. We still have to bring down 4 to 5kg of weight. The electronics remain an issue. And we need 🥂to be even faster and more effective at home in the development department to better support the racing team.
"We will do everything we can to brin🎶g [Zarco] forward this year. New material has already been made to Zarco's wishes🐼. Pit Beirer has now also organised Jean-Michel Bayle as a supervisor."
MotoGP Editor
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injuꦿry issues.