Johann Zarco’s recent success at Honda in MotoGP highlights the struggles of his LCR teammate, Somkiat Chantra, who has yet to score a point in the championship. Zarco, the oldest rider on the grid, has impressed with a victory at Le Mans and a second-place finish at Silverstone, currently ranking fifth overall. Despite competing on a satellite Honda, Zarco has managed to outperform many younger riders on factory bikes.
The contrast in performance between Zarco and Chantra raises concerns about the Thai rider’s lack of competitiveness in his rookie MotoGP season. Chantra’s promotion from Moto2 to Honda was driven more by commercial interests than sporting merit, following rejections from other potential candidates for the LCR team. Honda’s decision to choose Chantra was influenced by the company’s commitment to developing Asian riders, particularly through its partnership with Idemitsu.
Chantra’s struggles on track have led to questions about whether he was truly ready for the step up to MotoGP, given his limited success and lack of podium finishes in the lower categories. As Zarco negotiates a contract extension with Honda, the spotlight remains on Chantra’s performance and the broader implications for Honda’s rider development program.
