Johann Zarco and Honda made history at the Grand Prix of France as the home hero won a chaotic race at Le Mans.
The victory marks the first non-Ducati win since Maverick Vinales’ triumph in Austin last season. It was also Zarco’s second career win in the premier class and Honda’s first since the 2023 Americas Grand Prix.
It was a historic moment at the French Grand Prix as the nation had their first winner in 71 years. Zarco’s win prevented Ducati from breaking Honda’s record of 22 consecutive wins, which they matched at Jerez with Alex Marquez.
The weather played a huge factor in the 34-year-old’s victory. Rain caused havoc in the opening laps as riders were indecisive about whether to start on slick tyres or wets.
Zarco was one of a few riders who opted to start on the latter, which looked like it would not pay off as he ran in 17th in the early stages. But as the rain came down, it proved that LCR Honda had made the right call before the race.
LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello showed Johann Zarco the weather forecast in vital pre-race meeting at Le Mans
As teams worked out what strategy to run with, LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello showed Zarco that rain was expected just as he was going onto the grid.
This gave the Frenchman ‘trust’ in the team’s decision to start on wet tyres as he was physically shown the information that ultimately justified the call.
Asked whether the plan with Zarco was clear before the race, Cecchinello said via the Paddock Pass Podcast: “Honestly, yes. We of course looked at the different weather applications.
“I met him just before he put the helmet on and then I showed physically the images and I said this cell of rain will come in 20 minutes.
“So I believe that also this helped him to trust because he visually got some information and then to trust that it was the right choice to stay on the wet.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Johann Zarco from career stats to net worth
Honda fans will be delighted about their future prospects after Johann Zarco’s French Grand Prix win
Honda’s improvements in 2025 were made clear at Le Mans, as Zarco was running a second faster than Marc Marquez in the wet conditions. He topped the podium by almost 20 seconds over the Ducati rider and Fermin Aldeguer.
The Frenchman sits sixth in the standings on 72 points as he looks on course to have a highly successful campaign. It also stands him in good stead to land a promotion from the LCR team for 2026.
Zarco is out of contract at the end of the year and has publicly expressed his desire to join the factory team, with Luca Marini’s deal also up in 2025. Honda fans are thrilled at the prospect of signing Zarco, hailing him as ‘our lord and saviour’.
However, the 34-year-old faces serious competition to land the seat. Jorge Martin is plotting a move to Honda after shockingly announcing his intention to leave Aprilia at the end of the season.
