Miguel Oliveira just explained why Jack Miller is thrashing him at Pramac amid 2026 seat battle

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Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller are going head-to-head for a seat at the Pramac MotoGP team next year. The arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu means that one of the two will lose their seat.

While he signed a two-year deal when he joined from Trackhouse, Oliveira isn’t meeting a performance clause in his contract. He’s required to be at least third in the Yamaha rankings to guarantee a second season.

Miller’s contract expires at the end of the season, but he’s currently the second-best rider on the M1. He’s level on points with Alex Rins, but ahead by virtue of a P5 at the Americas GP.

There is a chance that Yamaha let both riders go. Enea Bastianini has been linked with Pramac, but it’s unclear if he can get out of his KTM contract.

More recently, there’s talk that Yamaha are interested in Moto2 leader Manuel Gonzalez. However, Aprilia would appear to be the frontrunners after fielding him in the Aragon test.

Miguel Oliveira says injuries are to blame for poor Pramac results

The gap between Miller and Oliveira is currently 28 points, with the Portuguese down in 23rd place. Yamaha plan to finalise Pramac’s line-up before the summer break, so it’s highly unlikely the latter will meet the performance criteria in his contract.

Oliveira missed four Grands Prix and three Sprints due to an injury he sustained at the Argentina GP. Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer was penalised for his role in the accident.

That partially explains the deficit, but Yamaha may still be dissatisfied with the 30-year-old’s displays when available. Miller is thrashing him 5-0 in qualifying, and he’s also whitewashed him 6-0 in the races.

In an interview with Speedweek, Oliveira suggested that he’s been dealing with the after-effects of his injury. But the Italian Grand Prix will be his fourth race back, so he knows it’s no longer an excuse.

• READ MORE: Everything to know about Miguel Oliveira from net worth to wife

Asked about Yamaha’s ultimatum, he said: “Look, it worries me, as it must worry every rider, because ultimately you’re here to achieve results, and I came to Yamaha to help them and grow. Right now, I need to deliver those results.

“I was, I’d say, prevented from proving that because of my physical limitations. I was coming off an injury, from a phase of the championship that had just begun, and now I know results are expected of me.

“In the races until the summer break, I need to give it my all and see what happens.”

Jack Miller’s stance on leaving MotoGP has changed compared to 2025

As it stands, Miller may be the favourite to hold onto the seat next to Razgatlioglu. But if that’s the case, Oliveira still has time to change the minds of the Yamaha hierarchy.

Miller is more relaxed about his MotoGP future than he was 12 months ago. He viewed his 2025 Pramac contract as a bonus after coming close to dropping off the grid.

There haven’t been any firm indications that other teams in the Grand Prix paddock are interested. And the same is true of Oliveira.

Miller may be tempted to join Honda’s World Superbikes team after receiving a three-year offer. The series will race with familiar Michelin tyres from 2027.