Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller’s MotoGP future remains entirely up in the air as the summer break approaches. There are three possibilities.
The first, and most simple, is that he retains his Pramac seat next to the incoming Toprak Razgatlioglu. The ‘vibe’ in the German Grand Prix paddock was that Miller will keep his ride.
The second, which would be sensational, is that Yamaha promote him to the factory team. He’s been the best performer in their ranks after Fabio Quartararo this season.
And the third is that Miller drops off the grid entirely. While this looks unlikely, he’s not secure until he puts pen to paper on a contract extension.
Yamaha deny that Alex Rins contract could be terminated amid Jack Miller links
According to a report from GPOne, Miller’s ‘long-standing friendship’ with Paolo Campinoti should, at a minimum, keep him at Pramac. This will come at the expense of Miguel Oliveira, who isn’t meeting a performance clause in his deal.
However, rumours started to spread at the Sachsenring that Yamaha could make a shock change to their factory line-up. The feeling is that Alex Rins is the only rider whose contract could be broken for next year.
Yamaha have ‘so far denied’ any suggestion that ‘Rins might be persuaded’ to terminate his deal by mutual consent. They have not ‘confirmed’ whether Miller is a firm option.
Intriguingly, Luca Marini is floated as a potential option for Pramac if both Oliveira and Rins are let go. Marini may lose his Honda seat, and title sponsors Prima are keen to sign an Italian rider.
Why Fabio Quartararo would love to work with Jack Miller if he’s promoted from Pramac
Rins has arguably been one of the biggest strugglers on the MotoGP grid this year. Perhaps compromised by his 2023 leg injury, he sits 18th in the championship.
Among riders who haven’t been sidelined by injury this season, he ranks second from bottom (only Joan Mir is below). Rins is only five points behind Miller but more was expected in his second year at the team.
The team will have to consider the sentiments of their franchise rider. One Yamaha source says Miller is capable of pushing Quartararo harder than any of his teammates, which may be welcome.
Quartararo likely values Miller’s experience, a key resource for the team’s frustratingly slow development. Only Marc Marquez (200) and Maverick Vinales (190) have started more MotoGP races.
Yamaha should confirm Miller’s fate after the Czech Grand Prix.
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