According to Johann Zarco, Marc Márquez should not have won the Sprint at Jerez

The Sprint of the Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP Saturday's race was marked by a completely crazy scenario with the arrival of rain. In these difficult weather conditions, victory went to reigning world champion Marc Márquez (Ducati). It was a controversial win, as the Spaniard "took advantage" of a crash in the final corner to cut across the pit lane entrance and change motorcycles.

Zarco believes that Márquez wouldn't have won without his crash

« Marc Márquez is not expected to win the race. Johann Zarco, who finished eighth, speaking to Canal+. When you crash in the last corner, it means you've already decided not to pit. If he's at turn 13 and he pits, it means he's going back. You don't go back on the track. It's strange if he doesn't get a penalty. I don't think he knows the rules better than anyone else; he's just incredibly lucky. We'll see what the judges decide. He would have pitted a lap too late anyway. His mind was made up. »

To draw a parallel with another discipline, Lewis Hamilton had been penalized for a similar action during the 2019 German Grand Prix F1The Briton, then at Mercedes BenzZarco had been penalized for cutting off the pit lane entrance after going off the track in the final corner. He knows what he's talking about all the more since he himself was heavily penalized in a similar situation at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix.

The Frenchman also reflected on his own race. Having started second on the grid, the 2025 French Grand Prix winner had to settle for eighth place at the finish. My departure was fine. he judges. I was well behind Marc. When he started to pick up speed on the second lap, I wasn't able to keep up. Tomorrow, the Ducatis might have a bit less speed on the medium tires. That could give me a chance to stay with them. At that pace, a podium finish was impossible. I'd like to dream of a podium for the race. »

« I was losing time in all the fast corners due to a lack of speed. Zarco's analysis continues. When Alex Marquez overtook me, I couldn't stay with him. I tried to fight with Di Giannantonio. With Acosta, it was possible to stay in the battle. I immediately passed them again to break their rhythm. It was good to fight like that. It was scary when the rain came. You could feel you could slide at any moment. I pitted a lap too late. I hesitated, but I didn't pit and realized it was a mistake as I entered the last corner. On slicks, I went straight on at the corner where Alex Marquez crashed. That's where I lost a lot of positions. I could have finished two or three places higher. It was still very slippery with the wet tires; we were getting aquaplaning. I managed to salvage some points by making some good overtakes. »

See you at 2pm this Sunday for the start of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez.

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