Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira are soon set to learn who Yamaha want to be Toprak Razgatlioglu’s teammate at Pramac in 2026 with a decision on their line-up looming.
The second Yamaha at Pramac is the last YZR-M1 to be filled for the 2026 MotoGP grid after Razgatlioglu signed a two-year factory contract to join the Japanese brand’s satellite team. It is likely to be a straight shootout between Miller and Oliveira, yet other riders are in the mix.
Miller faces an uncomfortable situation as the Australian only signed a one-year factory deal for Yamaha to join Pramac in the 2025 MotoGP season. But while Yamaha signed Oliveira to a two-year works deal, his contract includes a performance release clause he is not meeting.
Yamaha can release Oliveira from his contract if the Portuguese is the worst-scoring rider on the M1 by the summer break. So, the 30-year-old has the German Grand Prix and the Czech GP to eclipse Alex Rins with 35 points or Miller on 33 points, with Oliveira only sitting on six.
Miguel Oliveira’s injury could now be his ‘alibi’ in Yamaha’s discussions over Pramac’s 2026 line-up
Yamaha want to sort Pramac’s 2026 line-up before the Czech GP at Brno on July 20, though. So, the Iwata outfit intend to hold discussions in the coming days to finalise their line-up for next season when two-time World Superbikes champion Razgatlioglu will debut in MotoGP.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Miguel Oliveira from net worth to wife
That is according to Paddock-GP, which reports Yamaha are set to hold ‘internal discussions’ about who to keep at Pramac between Miller and Oliveira shortly. Their decision will also no longer depend purely on the two riders’ performances so far during the 2025 MotoGP term.
Miller has further advantages in his favour, including being the only natural English speaker on the grid. Liberty Media is also keen to have an Australian on the grid to help MotoGP to grow in the region. But Oliveira also has pluses in his favour ahead of Yamaha’s discussions.
Oliveira dislocating the sternoclavicular ligament in his left shoulder when hit by Gresini ace Fermin Aldeguer at the Argentina Grand Prix and having to miss three full rounds could also now be a benefit, as the 30-year-old’s physical limitations may act as an ‘alibi’ for his results.
Jack Miller is still Yamaha’s favourite to partner Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac in 2026
Oliveira finished 14th on his debut for Pramac Yamaha in the Thai Grand Prix, before having to sit out the Grands Prix in Argentina, America, Qatar and Jerez. He has since had to try to return to fitness, while learning the M1, resulting in no stronger result than his P13 in Italy.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife
The Almada native will know that Yamaha will not be satisfied with his performances. But it would help Oliveira’s situation if the Iwata outfit are sympathetic to his physical problems in their imminent discussions when Miller is the favourite to be in Pramac’s 2026 rider line-up.
Miller has not enjoyed a great run of results himself, which has left a door ajar for Oliveira to possibly stay at Pramac. The Townsville native started this term strongly, including taking P5 in America. But Miller only took one top 10 in the past seven Grands Prix with P7 in Britain.
Since the British Grand Prix in May, Moto2 sensation Diogo Moreira has even emerged as an option for Yamaha to put at Pramac in 2026. But it is also possible that Yamaha might award Miller another one-year contract, before then replacing the Australian with Moreira in 2027.
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