The Frenchman has been a Ducati rider since 2020, when the Italian marque signed him to a deal to affix the Avintia satellite tv for pc squad.
This got here after Zarco elected to stop his KTM deal a 12 months early throughout a tough season on the RC16 following his swap from Tech3 Yamaha, earlier than the Austrian marque parted methods with him with rapid impact after the San Marino GP.
Zarco was reticent to affix Avintia as he deemed it “not a high workforce”, however managed a pole place and a podium in 2020 for the squad earlier than being promoted to Pramac on full works-spec Ducati equipment.
Since then, he has scored 12 grand prix podiums with Pramac, the latest coming previous to the summer time break in Germany.
Through the British GP weekend, following Rins’ announcement that he could be leaving LCR for Yamaha in 2024, Zarco emerged because the favorite to take his place.
This weekend in Austria, Zarco confirmed he had a deal on the desk from Honda and from Ducati.
Whereas it was reported that he had already signed with Honda on Saturday, Zarco mentioned this was not the case however that he would make a closing resolution on Sunday.
Honda’s supply was for 2 years with an possibility for a 3rd at LCR, whereas Ducati’s deal was for one 12 months with a view to shifting the Frenchman to its World Superbike venture in 2025.
Alex Rins, Crew LCR Honda, Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Following Sunday’s Austrian GP, Pramac first confirmed that Zarco could be parting methods with the squad, with a Honda announcement anticipated any time from now.
Paolo Campinotti, Pramac workforce principal, mentioned: “Over the course of three incredible years alongside Johann, the workforce has taken a major step ahead, thanks in no small half to his immense expertise.
“This progress has introduced him to the place of being the present chief of the MotoGP championship.
“Because of this, I can solely specific my remorse that he will not be a part of our household within the upcoming season, however I want him all of the luck on this planet for his future endeavours.
“Now, all that is left for me to do is take pleasure in working with him till the top of the championship, anticipating nice issues from him as soon as once more.”
Zarco beforehand had hyperlinks to Honda for 2019 earlier than signing with KTM, after which contested the ultimate three grands prix of that 12 months with LCR as Takaaki Nakagami’s damage alternative.
It is a main piece of the 2024 grid puzzle now in place, with the subsequent large transfer set be Marco Bezzecchi’s resolution on whether or not to stick with VR46 Ducati or transfer to Pramac to take Zarco’s place.
Ducati has made it clear that double grand prix winner Bezzecchi’s solely likelihood of getting a factory-spec bike in 2024 will likely be at Pramac, with VR46 set to stay with year-old equipment.
Valentino Rossi instructed Sky Italia this weekend that he has been “pushing” Bezzecchi to remain the place he’s as he feels VR46 can nonetheless supply him a aggressive bundle regardless of not having full manufacturing facility bikes.
Bezzecchi’s resolution will have an effect on what occurs with Franco Morbidelli, who will go away Yamaha on the finish of the 12 months.
Ought to Bezzecchi stay at VR46, which seems to be his choice, then Morbidelli might effectively find yourself with a plum manufacturing facility journey at Pramac in 2024.