P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Johann Zarco wasn’t the only one who picked exactly the right strategy for Le Mans’ tricky weather – but almost everyone else blew it
The 2025 French Grand Prix at Le Mans was marked by an early chaotic start, with Johann Zarco eventually emerging as the winner with a significant 19.907-second lead, thanks to his strategic tire choice. Zarco initially trailed the leader by 30 seconds after four laps but came out on top for making the right call at the outset. Despite seven other riders making a similar tire choice, they failed to dominate the podium battle like Zarco did. The race saw an initial aborted start due to rain, leading to a reduced grid with only nine riders, including Zarco and those on wet tires, staying out while others opted for a pit stop, facing penalties. Zarco’s LCR team’s use of radar applications gave them an edge in predicting the changing weather conditions, a factor that played a crucial role in their victory. Pecco Bagnaia could have capitalized on a similar strategy like Zarco but was caught in a chaotic moment involving different tire compounds, hampering his chances at a strong finish despite anticipating the rain correctly.
