Johann Zarco axed from KTM MotoGP line-up, Kallio to finish season

Johann Zarco has officially exited the KTM MotoGP team with immediate effect, it has been confirmed, with Mika Kallio returning to racing duties in his place.

The Frenchman is barely more than half a season into what was originally a two-year deal, but difficulties adapting to the KTM RC16 package, coupled with an increasingly bitter between himself and team management, has seen them terminate the contract much early.

Indeed, though the two parties had originally agreed a contract change that’d take Zarco up to the end of the season, it isn’t in KTM’s interest to retain the six-time podium winner on the RC16 as it prepares to turn its attention to 2020 MotoGP bike development, particularly if he joins a rival as test rider [see below]

As such, Kallio will see out the season alongside Pol Espargaro, the Finn set to make his first consecutive MotoGP starts since 2010.

KTM does note, however, that while Zarco has been released from his MotoGP duties, remains contracted to KTM until the end of the year and cannot race for another team.

Where will Johann Zarco ride in MotoGP 2020?

Though he has spoken of returning to Moto2, Zarco – who won his titles racing with a focused single entry Ajo Motorsport team – is unlikely to receive the same privilege if he returns. Moreover, he has achieved enough in MotoGP to justify not returning to a series he has already dominated.

As such, a test role with a manufacturer – with the caveat of a third rider wild-cards - seems more likely. Though the Japanese manufacturers have previously erred towards local riders for development roles, more recently they are entrusting this to European racers with racing experience.

As for options, Ducati seems very happy with Michele Pirro, Suzuki has credited a lot of its success to the experienced Sylvain Guintoli and Aprilia are worse off than KTM when it comes to competitiveness.

A spot at Honda could come available should HRC place Stefan Bradl in its new WorldSBK team, while the manufacturer probably has the most vulnerable factory seat up for grabs if Jorge Lorenzo continues to struggle alongside Marc Marquez.

Then there is Yamaha, where Zarco raced in 2017 and 2018 with impressive success. The manufacturer’s future beyond 2021 – in particular whether Valentino Rossi retires, if Fabio Quartararo moves up and if Franco Morbidelli and Maverick Vinales pick up their form – makes them probably the most attractive option in terms of multiple opportunities. 

However, it has just added a European tester to its roster in Zarco’s old Tech 3 team-mate Jonas Folger, even if his fitness isn’t assured due to ongoing issues with the debilitating Gilbert’s syndrome.

Johann Zarco: Wasted talent or unproven ability?

On paper, any team would be lucky to have Zarco on its roster as a test rider in terms of his quality, but the reality of employing him might be somewhat more complicated than that.

Any deal Zarco pens is almost certainly going to have to include a guarantee of a race seat for 2021 and whilst this puts him in a good bargaining position in the sense that most MotoGP contracts will conclude at the close of 2020, it’s quite early for manufacturers to be thinking that far ahead.

Indeed, with Zarco’s dismal season – and somewhat questionable attitude - at KTM no doubt set to make some manufacturers think twice about his viability, signing him onto a guaranteed 2021 contract is also a lot of pressure on two existing riders in 2019 knowing one is destined to lose their seat in 2021. Then again, maybe this isn’t a bad thing depending on your management style…

Moreover, with his smooth, progressive riding style, one that clearly hasn’t found its rhythm on the KTM, will he be able to push the development of certain machines forward? 

On the other hand, Zarco is a two-time Moto2 World Champion and notched up six podiums and three pole positions in just two seasons. 

Mika Kallio to join KTM for MotoGP 2020?

This news offers up the perfect opportunity for Kallio to secure a full-time MotoGP return in 2020. 

The Finn will have always been top of KTM’s list for 2020 having played an integral role in the KTM RC16’s development, but management is likely to have wanted a rider with more recent race experience to and was willing to wait until November to make a decision. 

Moreover, with big money signing Dani Pedrosa now established as KTM’s chief test rider – without wanting to race at all – Kallio has the chance to step out from his ‘other test rider’ role over the final rounds to pitch for a prime spot alongside Espargaro in 2020 too.

It wouldn’t hurt Dorna to have a Finn on the 2020 MotoGP grid either with the new Finland MotoGP at KymiRing joining the schedule.