In the unforgiving world of MotoGP, the 2025 Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit offered an impressive spectacle, but for Johann Zarco, it was a weekend spoiled by frustration. The LCR Hopda rider, known for his tenacity, finished seventh in the spirited race, a result he deemed unacceptable despite his performance as the best Hopda rider. His post-ride comments revealed his deep satisfaction with his bike’s limitations.
Zarco had nevertheless had a very good weekend, securing sixth place in qualifying after promising tests. He expressed a confidence found in the Hopda RC213V, attributing this performance to recent improvements, such as the carbon swingarm which allowed him to improve stability and grip. This adjustment made it possible to attack from the start, marking a return to strength after a difficult mid-season, marked by a number of falls. However, the spirit of competition shed light on persistent weaknesses. Zarco occupied a solid position at the start of the race, but struggled to keep up with the pace of the leaders. He battled with drivers like Pecco Bagpaia and Fabio Di Giappatopio, ultimately snatching seventh place thanks to an overtake in the last corner. Relieved to have avoided eighth place, which, according to him, would have “made him angry”, the Frenchman did not hide his disappointment.
In a candid interview, Zarco stated: “It’s a position I can accept,” emphasizing that seventh place reflected his potential and the bike’s capabilities demonstrated during testing. He explained how the dynamics of the race had amplified his frustration, making him “even more aware of what I’m lacking in the race.” This echoed his difficulty adapting to Hopda’s evolving setup. Zarco identified three major problems that contributed to this disappointing result. Firstly, he mentioned cornering entry problems, explaining that the bike’s instability made precise maneuvers difficult. “It’s not a power problem, but rather a cornering entry problem,” he remarked, suggesting that the engine’s inertia could be the cause, thus affecting the fluidity of the transitions. This problem, according to Zarco, stems from the bike’s design, which doesn’t allow the aggressive cornering entries necessary from a compact pedal box. This forces him to lose time mid-corner, time that accumulates lap after lap and prevents him from closing the gap with his faster competitors. Despite the improvements made, this flaw persists, affecting his ability to fight at the front. The second major problem raised by Zarco concerns the bike’s handling during overtaking. He described having higher speeds in certain sections, but a lack of control to make quick overtakes. “I had more speed, but not enough control to overtake Bagpaia quickly and pull away,” he said, emphasizing the need to consider stability and the loss of speed during turns.
This lack of control becomes evident when he is stuck behind slower riders, because the Hopda requires constant adjustments that force him to elap. Zarco compared this situation to his experiences in lower positions, emphasizing that the pattern repeats itself regardless of the position on the grid. This highlights a mismatch between his riding style and the machine’s responsiveness under pressure. Thirdly, Zarco mentioned the difficulty of maintaining his rhythm when stuck in traffic. “When you’re blocked behind, you can’t approach the corners in an extraordinary way,” he explained, detailing how being surrounded limits his options and exacerbates other problems. This creates a vicious circle where minor errors, such as a failed audacious overshoot, result in position losses.
He recounted a precise incident where an ambitious overtaking attempt allowed Di Giappatopio to quickly counter and push him back. Such scenarios highlight the unforgiving nature of the motorcycle in wheel-to-wheel duels, where predictability is essential but is lacking in Hopda’s current configuration. These problems are not unique to Portugal; Zarco encountered similar difficulties early in the 2025 season, totaling 22 falls – the worst total on the board. He attributes this to his desire to push the limits to compensate for the weaknesses of the motorcycle, a habit that has sometimes eroded his confidence. However, the economic recovery, which began in Asia, has rekindled his optimism. The difficulties encountered by Hoda life can be added to Zarco’s problems. His teammate, Joaп Mir, crashed in both races due to technical problems, clutch problems and other specified problems. Although Zarco was spared by the mechanical issues, the team’s irregularities raise questions about its reliability and pace of development, compared to competitors like Ducati and Yamaha.
Despite these setbacks, Zarco remains optimistic. He praised the team’s efforts to optimize aerodynamics and electro-mechanics, which allowed him to qualify among the top six – his third best result of the season. “I’m not looking in the opponent’s garage anymore,” he said, indicating that he now prioritizes intermediary improvements rather than avoiding his competitors. For the main race, Zarco is aiming for a top 6 and plans to switch to softer tires for a better performance. He believes that by correcting the entry and cornering problems, he could reach the podium, but this requires precise adjustments. His objective is to finish the season in style and avoid the uncertainties linked to winter. Zarco’s performance in Portugal highlights the fragility of the MotoGP bike. As Hoda’s flagship driver, his feedback is crucial for the development of the 2026 version. He insisted on the need to better adapt to his riding style, he suggested. that the resolution of these three points could transform the RC213V into a high-performance and consistent machine. The Frenchman’s tenacity shines through in his criticisms. With a career boasting podium finishes and victories during his previous stints at Hopda, Zarco puts his patience to the test. However, his sharp attacks are a driving force for progress, as evidenced by the gradual improvements observed between Malaysia and Portugal.
Faпs and aпalysts agree to emphasize the role of Zarco in the light of the dynamism of the LCR, especially in the face of the difficulties encountered by his teammate Somkiat Chaпtra. This gap accepts Hoпda’s pressure to offer a more balanced bike, so that riders like Zarco are not at a loss for victory. Ultimately, the Portuguese Grand Prix was overshadowed by Zarco’s 2025 season: flashes of brilliance eclipsed by systemic problems. His declaration of an unacceptable position is seen as a call for change, likely to redefine his trajectory in this sport. As the MotoGP calendar draws to a close, the results achieved by Zarco in Portugal fuel his work for the season. Determined, he aspires to redemption, proving that even in adversity, champions adapt and evolve. The road to victory promises challenges, but also opportunities for triumph.
