Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller owes a lot to Yamaha for saving his MotoGP career, and the two parties seem to have found some harmony.
The Australian was on the verge of dropping off the grid at the end of the 2024 season. After spending two years winning races and fighting for podiums at Ducati, his time at KTM brought difficulties and almost the end of his career.
In his two seasons in Austria, Miller amassed just one podium. He looked set to leave the sport after finishing 14th in the standings in 2024, but Pramac gave Miller a ‘prove-it’ contract for 2025 as they embarked on their new partnership with Yamaha.
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The 30-year-old would go on to finish 17th with 79 points, marking his worst season since 2016. But despite his inconsistency, Miller proved vital for Yamaha behind the scenes with the development of their V4 bike.
His technical feedback has helped the Iwata outfit make strong progress with the machine. Miller is ‘absolutely’ convinced about Yamaha’s V4 and that it is up to the challenge, and he has found something that he never had at KTM.
Jack Miller says Yamaha’s V4 is ‘phenomenal’ in the right working window
Speaking to Crash.net, the Pramac rider explained that the bike is ‘phenomenal’ on low-grip surfaces and when other teams struggle with the rear tyre. Because Yamaha do not notice it as much, they can have a ‘better showing’.
This contrasts with his time at KTM, where he could not stop due to his lack of feel for the rear tyre: “If you can get it in that working window, it’s phenomenal,” he said. “As you see, at some weekends, some bikes can be ‘on’. And the next weekend they are ‘off’.
“We notice it especially in Yamaha. When the tracks don’t have the best grip or the others can’t use the soft rear, we tend to have a better showing.
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“Because we’re not getting the full benefit out of the soft tyre like the others, we don’t notice it [as much] when we’re not using it.
“But the others constantly say they can’t stop [without the soft rear tyre] and, from being on the KTM, the feeling was like that.
“When you don’t use the soft, you almost feel like somebody’s letting the brakes off on you. Because you’re not able to use that rear end to stop the bike as much.”
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Jack Miller is under immense pressure to stay in MotoGP beyond 2026
The 2026 season will be a year of learning for Yamaha as they adapt the V4 throughout the year. Miller’s season could already be written off, as his efforts will be on development, rather than worrying about results.
But despite this, the Aussie is under pressure to keep his seat beyond 2026, with his contract expiring at the end of the year.
Miller is entering his ‘last season in MotoGP’, as well as several other riders. He will need to show Yamaha why he is worth keeping for the new regulations cycle in 2027.
Pramac are looking at Enea Bastianini as a potential replacement, but Aprilia are also said to be interested. Miller needs to stay close to his fellow Yamaha riders and score points to secure his future.
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