P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Zarco “was thinking of stopping” before Honda MotoGP chance came
French rider Johann Zarco ended his fourth and final season with Ducati on a high note, finishing fifth in the MotoGP standings for the Pramac Racing team and securing his first MotoGP victory in Australia. However, he will be moving to Honda and joining the LCR squad for the next two seasons, starting in 2024. This move allows him to renew his partnership with Honda, after previously filling in as a replacement rider in 2019. Although Ducati offered him a one-year contract for 2024, Zarco didn’t want to transition to World Superbikes as he still sees himself as a top-five rider in MotoGP. After considering retirement, he felt energized by the Honda opportunity and is proud of his consistent performances, podium finishes, and victory this year with Ducati. In the post-season test, Zarco had his first outing on the Honda RC213V and outperformed his new teammate, Takaaki Nakagami.
