Zarco's Tech 3 Yamaha deal extended to 2018

French rider Zarco, 26, stepped up to the premier class with the Yamaha satellite team after two successive titles in the intermediate Moto2 category.

Ahead of his move into MotoGP, he had tested with the works Suzuki outfit, which had an option on the Frenchman but opted for fellow Moto2 frontrunner Alex Rins instead.

As a result, Zarco wound up completing an all-rookie line-up at Tech 3, joining on a one-year deal with an option for 2018.

And with the Frenchman among the standout performers in the 2017 campaign so far, that latter option has now been taken up.

“We can announce that Johann Zarco has decided to remain with us for the 2018 season,” said team boss Herve Poncharal. “Perhaps he could have waited a bit longer to make this decision, but he told me that he is happy and ready to commit himself to us.

“We are very proud to have that sort of confidence from Johann. He has already brought some amazing things to the team, such as huge excitement and joy, but he has also given us some pride back. I'm sure the best is yet to come, yet what he has done in the first four rounds is really impressive.”

Zarco, who is riding a 2016-spec Yamaha YZR-M1 in this year's campaign, made headlines by leading on his MotoGP debut in Qatar, although he eventually crashed out.

He posted three straight top-five finishes in the three races since, and is currently the highest-placed privateer entrant in the standings in sixth.

“At the moment, I am enjoying an amazing debut in this category where I have learnt a huge amount, and the team have now given me the confidence for next year, which is just fantastic,” Zarco said.

“We can see that Tech3 is a great team because when we push, it’s possible to get a strong result. I am very happy but this is only the beginning and I will keep learning and growing so that I can regularly fight for podiums.

“Once I am at this level, I plan to continue in this way for as long as possible. In 2018, the rules won’t change and I will have an entire year of experience so this will certainly help me to get to the top."

Teammate Jonas Folger, who sits six points behind Zarco in eighth, is currently not confirmed past 2017.