“Magic” French GP win will help bid for 2026 factory Honda ride

French Grand Prix winner Johann Zarco believes his surprise victory at Le Mans will help his quest to step up from LCR to the factory Honda team in MotoGP 2026.

Zarco spoke earlier in the weekend about his desire to become a factory rider, even as his LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello remarked that there was “no point” in his star rider leaving the satellite squad. 

Asked in the press conference whether he thought the win could help his chances of the factory seat, Zarco replied: “Maybe! The discussions with Honda were very, very good even before the victory because the work I’m doing and the feeling I have with them, with the team and the way we work… we are very happy.

“So I know that I will stay with Honda. We just need to decide if… I’m waiting [to see] what Honda really wants. We’re also speaking very clearly with Lucio. We have full support from Honda even at LCR… but clearly a victory can give a bit more.

“So let’s see… but the discussion is so positive. Now it will be a matter of time [until I know where I’m going].” 

Zarco’s success at Le Mans is only the latest chapter in a season in which he has been the standout rider for the resurgent Japanese manufacturer.

The French GP win was Honda’s first since Alex Rins triumphed at the 2023 Americas GP over two years ago.

The 34-year-old now has 72 points, significantly clear of the next Honda, that of factory rider Luca Marini. The Italian has 37 points, while his factory team-mate Joan Mir has merely 12. 

Honda’s wildcard Takaaki Nakagami almost overtook Mir’s tally in one fell swoop with the 10 points he scored for sixth at Le Mans. 

 If Zarco is called up to the factory team for 2026, it would likely be in place of Marini due to the fact that Marini’s contract expires after this season.

Whatever his future holds, winning his home grand prix will go down as a highlight in Zarco’s career. It’s his second MotoGP win following his success in the 2023 Australian GP.

“I’m proud because I love motorcycle history,” he said. “I know big names and I’ve been watching the old races because I’ve always had a lot of interest in that. To write this line [in history] today, to be a French rider winning the French GP… it’s just magic.”

Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda

Photo by: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images

Zarco also brushed off any question of his mother being signed up as a lucky charm after she witnessed him win on her first visit to the MotoGP paddock in 17 years. The Cannes man’s father was also present at Le Mans.

“No, I won’t take this as a superstition,” he added. “I am so happy about what we have lived through this weekend, but I know my parents enjoy staying at home. There are too many things going on on a race weekend and they are on the calm side!

“This time I said it would be nice for my mother to come and see the French GP, because the crowd is just incredible.

“And even if she didn’t feel comfortable in the garage, she could go to the sponsor’s VIP area and enjoy the French GP there. I was happy to have my parents here… and today we had the cherry on the cake!”