Johann Zarco, rider for the LCR Honda team, is forced to withdraw from the sprint race of the Australian Grand Prix due to an electronic problem that made him feel that continuing was “dangerous”.
After a promising start in the qualifying sessions at Phillip Island, where he achieved a good starting position, Zarco could only complete three laps before stopping. A gear shift sensor failed, leaving him unable to know what gear he was in.
In his words, the rider explained that, in addition to this specific problem, there was a more general electronic failure affecting the bike’s behavior, making it difficult to control and increasing danger while riding.
Despite starting the race in third position, Zarco quickly lost a place to Jorge Martín. However, he stayed among the top positions until lap 4, when he had to slow down to stop.
Zarco’s withdrawal, along with the absence of Joan Mir due to illness and Luca Marini due to a virus, left Diogo Moreira as the only Honda rider during the race. Moreira crossed the finish line in ninth position but was promoted to eighth due to a penalty for Ai Ogura.
Weather forecasts anticipate heavy rain for Sunday, coinciding with the main race, in which Zarco and Moreira will be the only Honda representatives from a reduced MotoGP grid, with only 18 bikes.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI