Factory Honda rider Joan Mir has shed light on why Johann Zarco outperformed him in the 2024 MotoGP season, despite the Frenchman riding for the satellite LCR Honda team.
While Joan Mir struggled to adapt to the uncompetitive and unpredictable RC213V, Zarco achieved notable results, including two top-10 finishes in the latter half of the season. Zarco’s consistent performances earned him 55 points, far outpacing Mir’s 21 and fellow Honda factory rider Luca Marini’s 14.
Joan Mir, who failed to finish higher than 11th in any Sunday race, attributes Zarco’s success to his ability to work around the Honda’s limitations. The Spaniard highlighted issues like severe tire vibrations, known as chattering, as a persistent challenge he faced, contrasting with Zarco’s smoother adaptation.
“For some reason, [Zarco] is able to make one lap [without issues],” Mir explained. “For me, it’s the area where I especially struggle the most because of the problems we have with vibrations. And for him, it’s an area where he struggles less.”
Mir acknowledged that Zarco’s riding style seemed to align better with the RC213V’s characteristics, particularly with the new tire specifications introduced this season. “We have to understand [the differences], but we’re in an evolution phase with the bike,” he said. “Zarco’s approach matches well with the bike, while for me, it doesn’t. I hope we can either improve the bike or I can adapt.”
Many have widely praised Zarco’s debut season with LCR Honda. The former Pramac Ducati rider demonstrated resilience and tactical awareness, making the most of the troubled RC213V. His contributions, coupled with Takaaki Nakagami’s solid performance, helped LCR outscore the factory Honda team in the constructors’ standings.
Reflecting on his decision to leave Pramac-Ducati, Zarco expressed satisfaction with his move to Honda, framing it as a personal-challenge. “I heard from the French media and social media that people admired how I approached this season,” Zarco said. “We might have expected me to struggle more, but that challenge motivated me. I hope this step back will ultimately help me jump further.”
Zarco also highlighted the unique challenges of racing for Honda compared to Ducati, where all bikes were highly competitive. “Staying at Ducati is tough because the judgment there is different,” he added. “I wanted this challenge, and I’m happy with how it has progressed so far.”
As the season concludes, Zarco’s success with LCR Honda and Mir’s continued struggles emphasize the critical role of adaptability in navigating MotoGP’s evolving technical landscape. Honda will undoubtedly look to address its RC213V’s shortcomings as the 2025 season approaches.
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