Johann Zarco: 'Maybe I have a chance' of repeat French…

If the odds of Johann Zarco winning last year's French Grand Prix were long, the likelihood of him repeating the feat must surely be off the charts. Yet the weather forecast suggests circumstances might play into the rain specialist's hands once again on Sunday.

As in 2025, however, Zarco is riding an essentially uncompetitive Honda and would need every card to fall for him in terms of track conditions. Speaking to media ahead of his home weekend, he was quick to refute any 'favourite' tag in view of the forecast.

"I don't think I'm coming here as a favourite... I think people want to believe it," said the man from Cannes in response to a press conference question along those very lines. "Now [after 2025], they believe even more that another thing like this can happen.

"And just by looking at the weather forecast, that's why people feel that... or your question, you say I'm coming as a favourite, but as I say, no, it's more, maybe I have a chance. It would be just... unbelievable to live this again."

Another aspect fuelling expectations was Zarco's stellar showing in damp conditions at Jerez last time out. He qualified on the front row on a slippery track, but in Sunday's sunny race he could only manage seventh despite a strong ride.

"[It] was good in Jerez that when it was raining, I qualified in second place, [fighting for] the pole position," Zarco detailed. "So, I confirmed that, on wet conditions, I have more chances. And I try to take them when they are coming.

"And I have more chances if it's raining because I have seen in Jerez that in the dry, even if I got a very good pace, I could not even hope for a podium. And I was struggling at the end of the race. But when it's raining, I can get more chance of podium.

"I do not hope for this on Sunday. I really don't care. But I know that if it's coming, I try to use this chance."

Zarco won his home race in tricky weather in 2025 (Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images)

Another nuance not every French fan praying for a downpour may have grasped is that Zarco really comes into his own on a damp or evolving circuit rather than in fully wet conditions.

"What I like the most is when there is a little bit less water on the track," explained the 35-year-old. "When it's raining a lot, I don't feel I can make a big difference because I need laps to catch confidence. But when there is a bit less water and the other guys maybe are struggling with the tyre moving, I take my advantage from there."

While Zarco may claim "not to care" about precipitation on Sunday, the rider is well aware that the Le Mans faithful will have different feelings on the matter.

"I think the French fans are the only ones hoping for rain for the grand prix," he joked. "Normally, the people like the sun and to chill on the grass. But French fans, no, they don't want it anymore!"