Beyond the Passport: The Real Reasons Behind Jack Miller’s MotoGP Lifeline

The reason Jack Miller has secured another chance with Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP goes beyond just his nationality.

The difference in Jack Miller’s attitude at the Austrian Grand Prix compared to his disposition at the British GP just two weeks before was striking as he spoke to the MotoGP press at the Red Bull Ring before the 11th round of the 2024 season.

Since the Silverstone race, prospects for his future in MotoGP have significantly improved. Although he wasn't receiving any calls before that event, Miller revealed in Austria that he has engaged in discussions since then.

Although he remained secretive, he couldn't completely dismiss the rumors that he had joined Pramac Yamaha.

Although no formal announcement has been made, significant efforts are underway behind the scenes to preserve the 29-year-old’s professional future.

As reported by es.motorsport.com, Dorna Sports, the promoter of MotoGP, has been eager to maintain an Australian presence in the lineup. When the proposal for the owner of Phillip Island to acquire Gresini did not materialize, it was determined that Pramac would be the team for the Australian.

Critics have often accused Dorna of favoring Spanish or Italian riders, suggesting that nationality plays a crucial role in securing a spot in MotoGP. Despite the grid being predominantly made up of riders from these two countries for many years, Dorna is not responsible for this trend.

Spain boasts an exceptional progression system for motorcycle racing, arguably the finest globally, a reputation it has maintained for many years. The nation has a profound passion for the sport and actively supports emerging riders in their journey to professional success. Consequently, many of the leading motorcycle racers from the past decade and a half have hailed from Spain.

Valentino Rossi established the VR46 Academy about ten years ago to revitalize Italy's declining presence in grand prix racing. One of the academy's talents, Francesco Bagnaia, has gone on to win the MotoGP world championship twice. Additionally, riders such as Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi have also achieved victories in top-tier races.

In the coming year, Ai Ogura, along with probably Somkiat Chantra, will compete on behalf of Japan and Thailand. Significantly, they will also be representing the Asia Talent Cup. This initiative, akin to the Northern Talent Cup and the British Talent Cup, was established by Dorna to nurture emerging riders from the Asia-Pacific area.

It's important to recognize Dorna's efforts in enhancing geographical diversity within the MotoGP lineup. For quite some time, they have supported riders from countries other than Italy and Spain to secure positions, aiming to satisfy crucial markets.

Due to his Spanish nationality, Moto2 standout Sergio Garcia is poised to miss out on a promotion to MotoGP next year.

It's not really just, but that's how the industry works at times.

Miller’s passport has certainly been beneficial to him. There are a number of emerging Australian talents, such as Joel Kelso and Jacob Roulstone in Moto3, who would benefit from having a prominent figure in MotoGP to look up to. Additionally, any effort to ensure the magnificent Phillip Island remains on the schedule is appreciated.

Miller's experience is crucial for Yamaha.

However, claiming that it's the sole reason for his continued presence would be unjust.

At 29, Miller is among the more senior riders in the current lineup. Similarly, Miguel Oliveira is also 29.

A beginner was initially considered for the second Pramac Yamaha spot alongside Oliveira, but the Japanese company has shifted its strategy to prioritize experience within its lineup.

Yamaha urgently needs to find a solution to improve its struggling M1. Miller offers valuable insights from his recent time with both KTM and Ducati.

Importantly, he collaborated with Max Bartolini, Yamaha’s technical chief, during their time together at Ducati.

While he was with the Italian brand, Miller played a crucial role in development. Even after signing his contract with KTM, Gigi Dall’Igna continued to rely on the Australian to test and refine new components for the Desmosedici.

Miller excels as a test rider, but that’s not the path he wants to follow. Yamaha requires a racer to aid in advancing their bike's performance, and Miller believes he can significantly contribute in that role.

After his tenure with Pramac from 2018 to 2020, he has garnered significant respect within the team.

Therefore, the collaboration between Miller and Pramac is logical for these reasons.

Is Miller’s performance being underestimated?

Choosing him for the position instead of a quick, young novice has led to some doubts. Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro expressed criticism towards veteran riders like Miller and Franco Morbidelli (who has joined VR46) remaining in the competition and preventing new talents from entering.

In the 2024 season, Miller's performance on the KTM hasn't been impressive. After 11 races, he is ranked 15th in the championship with 47 points, with his highest finish being fifth place at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

However, does that accurately represent his current potential?

Lately, Miller has been competing with the rising star Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati and the standout talent Brad Binder from KTM.

Examining his tenure as Bagnaia’s partner at the official Ducati team during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the current two-time world champion outperformed him with a score of 9-4 in 2021 and 9-3 in 2022 in races where both riders completed the event (excluding DNFs and atypical outcomes).

While these numbers may not seem impressive at first glance, there was a noticeable difference in 2021 when Bagnaia finished an average of 7.77 seconds ahead of the other racer at the chequered flag. In 2022, this gap closed to 6.444 seconds. In terms of qualifying rounds, Bagnaia came out on top 12 times to 5 in 2021, and 11 times to 7 in 2022. However, the average time difference between them was a mere 0.337 seconds in 2021 and 0.318 seconds in 2022.

Throughout his debut year on the KTM in 2023, Miller faced off against Binder in qualifying sessions, ending up with a 9-11 record against the South African rider. On average, Miller's time was 0.388 seconds slower per session. Additionally, in races where both riders completed the grands prix, Miller was outperformed 10 times without a single win, and his average finishing time lagged by 8.2 seconds.

Miller has won four grand prix races, a significant achievement that must always be considered when discussing the Australian's performance.

According to the provided data, although he has placed second over the past three seasons, he has not been outperformed by Bagnaia or Binder in a manner that would indicate a decline. His qualifying speeds demonstrate that he remains competitive.

It is highly probable that his tenure with Pramac Yamaha will be his final opportunity in the top tier if he fails to perform.

On this occasion, timing and destiny have worked in Miller's favor. If Marc Marquez had not declined the opportunity to ride for Pramac Ducati, Yamaha might have been left without a satellite team once more. Even if Yamaha had succeeded in securing VR46, it’s difficult to imagine how Miller would have been part of that scenario.

Dorna's interest in preserving Australian representation, particularly through a figure who enjoys immense popularity among fans, has been an added advantage.

However, it is evident that Miller's concrete achievements warrant his continued opportunity.

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