Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller and Brad Binder may now both be in the mix for a move to Trackhouse for the 2027 MotoGP season, ahead of their pair’s expected exits from Pramac and KTM.
The bosses for Yamaha and KTM are widely thought to have decided to move on from Miller and Binder once their respective factory contracts expire at the end of 2026. But their hopes for being on the MotoGP grid in 2027 have seemed slim as few seats are believed to be free.
It has been claimed that Yamaha have told Miller that he is surplus to requirements, despite his huge role in the development of their V4 engine since joining Pramac in 2025. It has also been said that KTM told Binder that he will not be retained at the Catalan Grand Prix in May.
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Jack Miller and Brad Binder are ‘in the mix’ for Trackhouse’s second 2027 bike
Trackhouse may now offer Miller or Binder a lifeline, though. Jack Appleyard has revealed on MotoGP’s Inside the Paddock that the Australian and South African are both “in the mix” to potentially partner with Enea Bastianini at the American outfit in 2027, with his move close.
READ MORE: The best moments of Jack Miller’s MotoGP career
While few riders are announced for 2027, due to MotoGP still negotiating a new commercial deal with the teams, Trackhouse have yet to sign anyone to race their satellite Aprilias at the start of the 850cc era. Raul Fernandez is out of contract, and Ai Ogura is set to join Yamaha.
But it is now believed that Bastianini’s switch from KTM Tech3 to Trackhouse is “edging ever closer”, tempting the team to weigh up his likely partner. Trackhouse’s shortlist is thought to include retaining Fernandez, but signing Miller or Binder may also become a genuine option.
The chances that Fernandez stays at Trackhouse for the 2027 season are slim, though, even after he won the Sprint at the Italian Grand Prix last Saturday. Fernandez is understood to be a lot closer to leaving Trackhouse than staying next to Bastianini next year as things stand.
Manuel Gonzalez may miss out on a MotoGP move, with Trackhouse’s interest questioned
Does Manuel Gonzalez deserve a seat in MotoGP in 2027?
Another rider who appears to be off the cards for Trackhouse as they weigh up their options to complete their MotoGP line-up for 2027 is Moto2 championship leader Manuel Gonzalez. Appleyard adds that the recent claims linking Gonzalez with Trackhouse may not be correct.
It has been suggested that Gonzalez is stalling on a factory Honda World Superbike contract for 2027 in the hope that he could yet move up to MotoGP with either Trackhouse or Tech3 next year. But Appleyard is hearing contrasting rumours in the paddock about the Spaniard.
Trackhouse are not thought to be overly keen on signing Gonzalez, even though a raft of his Moto2 rivals are expected to step up to the premier class next year. Instead, the 23-year-old looks set to be overlooked once again, having seen Yamaha favour Miller over him last year.
Yamaha gave Miller a new contract for 2026 over signing Gonzalez to join Pramac, having considered them both for the second seat at their satellite outfit next to Toprak Razgatlioglu. But Miller’s results at the start of 2026 have not convinced Yamaha to re-sign him for 2027.
Gonzalez went on to blow his 2025 Moto2 title bid after missing out on a move to MotoGP, as Diogo Moreira instead stormed to the intermediate class title to cap his graduation to the premier class with LCR Honda. Now, leading the 2026 Moto2 standings may not be enough.
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