Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller is already hard at work with Yamaha’s new V4 engine as the 2025 MotoGP season draws to a close.
The Aussie finished 12th at the San Marino Grand Prix, but never really looked like he had any serious pace all weekend. With his MotoGP future secure, the pressure is off his shoulders, and he can start to take a few more risks in pursuit of results.
Pramac are going to need him to be reliable in 2026 as they bed a new rider in the form of rookie Toprak Razgatliolgu into their setup. Yamaha decided that Miller’s experience was a better idea than having two rookies, and it should show early in the season.
Miller was slapped with a MotoGP fine for giving his gloves to a fan after the race in Misano, but it was self-inflicted for riding the wrong way round the track momentarily. Just a few days ago, Miller’s ‘off-road’ skills saved him from a ‘hospital’ trip as he nearly crashed at turn 12, but he soon put that to the back of his mind for the rest of the weekend and test.
READ MORE: Pramac boss reveals what really saved Jack Miller from losing his MotoGP seat ‘in the end’
Jack Miller delivers his honest ‘ballpark’ verdict on Yamaha’s V4 engine after Misano test
Yamaha will love the ‘forfeit’ Miller is considering as he approaches the end of his first campaign back with Pramac. He’s prepared to adopt the V4 engine even if it’s not ready, in a bid to gather as much information on it as possible.
When asked about his future, Miller admitted he sacrificed money to stay at Pramac, even though he might have been able to earn a bigger cheque in another category.
It means that he will get to compete in his 12th season in 2026, and he hopes that some better results will be on the cards as the year progresses and the V4 is developed.
He gave some feedback immediately after Monday’s Misano test, sharing how he feels about the V4 engine after spending a little more time on it.
“I believe there are more strengths and weaknesses, as the first version – this will not be the bike that we have in [the] Valencia [post-season test], in terms of chassis and so on and so forth. In terms of a rough cut, we’re in the ballpark,” he told The Race.
READ MORE: Jack Miller reveals what he’s ‘hearing’ about Yamaha’s V4 engine in private conversations
Why Jack Miller will be vital to the development of Yamaha’s V4 engine
Even though Miller is now facing his last chance in MotoGP, he should end up being critical to his team’s development charge over the next 12 months.
He has raced for four different manufacturers over the last 10 years, and all the information he has gathered can be used to improve Yamaha’s bike.
A rookie won’t have as much experience to draw on, and could have left Pramac in a worse position by the end of next season. It also has a knock-on effect in other areas, such as results and crash damage.
In general, it is seen as more acceptable for a rookie to crash and miss out on opportunities to score points, whereas Miller will be required to lead, particularly early on. If he makes mistakes and fails to deliver, then it might be the end of the road for the Aussie in the premier class.
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