Jack Miller reveals why he finds it ‘scary’ watching Pedro Acosta as one of MotoGP’s ‘old men’

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Jack Miller will take part in his 250th Grand Prix race on home soil this weekend. In Thursday’s press conference, he was paired with two of the series’ rising stars.

With Maverick Vinales and Marc Marquez both out through injury, Miller is the most experienced rider in the field at Phillip Island. Having signed a contract extension with Pramac for 2026, he will hit 200 premier-class appearances at the season opener.

Miller nearly lost his MotoGP seat to Manuel Gonzalez, the Moto2 championship leader. Diogo Moreira was also linked with Pramac before signing with LCR.

Thus, he’s acutely aware of the threat young riders pose. Right now, KTM’s Pedro Acosta is the sport’s biggest emerging superstar.

Jack Miller says Pedro Acosta is ‘immediately’ ready to take on the most experienced riders

Unlike Murcian rival Fermin Aldeguer, who was inducted into the winners’ circle in Indonesia last time out, Acosta still hasn’t taken a top-level victory. No rider on the grid has stood on the podium more often (eight times) without gracing the top step.

But Acosta has crushed teammate Brad Binder this season, as well as the two satellite riders. His 215 points account for nearly 77% of the team’s total, and he’s also outscored the Tech3 duo combined (177).

On course for fifth in the championship, this has still been a fine season for the 21-year-old. Miller admits it’s ‘scary’ to see youngsters arrive with ‘the mindset of a veteran’.

“They don’t need advice,” he said. “They’re doing all the right things. Look at Pedro’s season last year as a rookie. Look at Fermin’s this year as a rookie. These guys are, what, 20 years old, but with the mindset of a veteran.

“They’ve been doing it for so long against so many competitive riders that they don’t need that [advice]. It’s scary for what the future holds. These kids are getting so much younger, but so ready for the world to take on the best riders. It’s amazing for the sport, but at the same time, it’s scary for old men like me.”

The 30-year-old also explained why his experience isn’t a significant benefit, saying: “In terms of level of riding, when to push, when not to push, all the riders are in MotoGP for a reason, because they’re ready. They understand that side of things for sure.”

MotoGP experts agree on Pedro Acosta’s chances against Marc Marquez

Pol Espargaro believes Acosta could challenge Marc Marquez at every race if he was riding a Ducati. In addition to being a pundit for Spanish television, Espargaro can study his compatriot up close as a KTM test rider.

Likewise, Jorge Lorenzo sees Acosta as the rider to dethrone Marquez. KTM have closed in on Ducati, raising hopes of genuine battles between the two next year.

Acosta has been called the next Marquez, a moniker he’s resisted. A long-term rivalry with Aldeguer, his fellow Murcian and a former close friend, is already taking shape.

Aldeguer is already Ducati’s fastest rider through the corners, which should alarm his rivals. It’s conceivable that he and Acosta could be on the same bike come 2027.