Sachsenring MotoGP: Johann Zarco sad and perplexed by loss of form
Johann Zarco says his current MotoGP slump in form has made him "sad", after he failed to advance from Q1 at the Sachsenring
Tech 3 Yamaha rider Zarco was forced into the first part of qualifying after only setting the 15th-fastest time in Saturday morning's third practice session.
The Frenchman then missed out on a place in Q2 by just under a tenth of a second, ending up fourth behind Andrea Dovizioso, Takaaki Nakagami and Aleix Espargaro in Q1.
A six-place grid penalty for Espargaro elevates Zarco to 13th on the grid, but it marks his worst starting position since last year's German Grand Prix.
"It was a difficult Saturday overall," said a despondent Zarco. "Yesterday I was quite happy and today I don't understand why we cannot improve and do better.
"It's really difficult to accept. I've tried the best, I tried to improve where I'm weak. and tried to understand where I have to do better and what can I ask to the team that we don't find.
"So it makes me sad and it [puts] me in a difficult situation to start the race tomorrow and to fix a good target.
"For the race pace to be good I think will mean laps under the 1m22s [mark]. It will be 1m21.7, and for every lap, this can be a good race pace.
"Today I was more like in the 1m22s, 22.1, 22.2. It means if I have this same race pace tomorrow, I won't be the top 10."
Zarco's poor form comes after a run of tough weekends since he crashed out of victory contention on home soil at Le Mans - although he enjoyed a small upturn in form last time out at Assen, where he was eighth.
"I don't understand what's happened," said the Frenchman. "Maybe this one is the worst one of all the last three weekends, it looks a little bit more like the Mugello.
"At Mugello I was not fast, and Barcelona [it was a bit] better, and at Assen it was a different weekend, I was competitive, just not lucky to start in eighth position.
"Here, once again, it's eight tenths [gap to pole] but eight tenths are like a lifetime, so I don't know what can I say.
"What was better at the beginning of the season? Maybe we were doing well, we are still doing well, but they [rivals] are doing better. That's also a way of seeing things."
Sachsenring MotoGP: Marquez prioritising title over preserving record
Sachsenring MotoGP: Riders expecting repeat of Assen pack race
Quartararo “disappointed” to “not lose more” with Silverstone MotoGP penalty
Fabio Quartararo says he is disappointed with his race because he thought he’d “lose more” with his MotoGP British Grand Prix penalty than he did, but could only finish eighth.
Espargaro FP4 crash pain 'no excuse' for Silverstone MotoGP struggles
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro says the pain he felt from his 115mph crash in MotoGP practice for the British Grand Prix is “not an excuse” for his difficult Silverstone race.
Backtracking on tyre gamble led to Zarco’s “hero or zero” Silverstone MotoGP crash
Pramac’s Johann Zarco's decision to change to a medium front tyre before the start of the MotoGP British Grand Prix led to his “hero or zero” crash from the lead.
MotoGP British GP: Bagnaia clinches victory as Quartararo and Espargaro struggle
Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia took victory in a tense MotoGP British Grand Prix to reignite his title charge as Fabio Quartararo and an injured Aleix Espargaro struggled.
Why Marquez’s toughest MotoGP foe is stopping at the right time
On the eve of the British Grand Prix, Andrea Dovizioso announced that he will be retiring from MotoGP after September’s San Marino GP. The timing of his departure raised eyebrows, but his reasoning remains sensible and what has happened this year should not diminish a hard-built legacy
Why a Suzuki refugee feels he deserves MotoGP's toughest challenge
Alex Rins’ MotoGP future was plunged into sudden doubt when Suzuki elected to quit the series at the end of 2022. Securing a deal with Honda to join LCR, he will now tread a path that many have fallen off from. But it was a move he felt his status deserved, and it’s a challenge – he tells Autosport - he faces with his eyes wide open…
How Formula 1 has driven MotoGP's changing nature
The hiring of technicians from Formula 1 has clearly contributed to a recent change in the MotoGP landscape, with the role of engineers gaining greater significance relative to the riders. Here's how this shift has come about
The revolution behind Aprilia's rise from MotoGP tail-ender to pack-leader
Coinciding with the arrival of Massimo Rivola as head of its MotoGP division, Aprilia has undergone an internal revolution that has spurred it from occupying last place in the team standings to leading the table in the space of just two years. Those entrenched in the project reveal how the ex-Ferrari F1 chief has achieved the dramatic turnaround
The battle Yamaha's wayward son is fighting to be fast again in MotoGP
Franco Morbidelli was long overdue a promotion to factory machinery when it finally came late last year, having finished runner-up in the 2020 standings on an old Yamaha package. But since then the Italian has been a shadow of his former self as he toils to adapt to the 2022 M1, and recognises that he needs to change his style to be quick on it
Why Honda and Yamaha have been left behind in MotoGP's new era
The once all-conquering Japanese manufacturers are going through a difficult period in MotoGP this season. With Suzuki quitting, Honda struggling to get near the podium and Yamaha only enjoying success courtesy of Fabio Quartararo, Japanese manufacturers have been left in the dust by their European counterparts. Key paddock figures explain why.
Who is Valentino Rossi’s newest MotoGP star?
Valentino Rossi’s protégés stole the show at Assen as Francesco Bagnaia stormed to victory to arrest a recent barren run. But it was the rider in second, on Bagnaia’s old bike, who had all eyes on him. Securing his and the VR46 team’s first MotoGP podium, Marco Bezzecchi has all the characteristics that made his mentor special
How Quartararo is evoking an absent MotoGP great in 2022
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo has seized control of the 2022 MotoGP world standings after another dominant victory as his nearest rivals faltered. And he is very much heading towards a second championship echoing how the dominator of the last decade achieved much of his success