Jack Miller has expressed his long-standing desire to ride a Yamaha MotoGP bike, citing the influence of legendary riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, both of whom he admired while competing on Yamaha’s M1 in the past. The Australian rider is set for a fresh chapter in his career, having signed a one-year deal with Yamaha for the 2025 MotoGP season, rejoining the Pramac squad after a stint with KTM.
Miller, who raced for Ducati with Pramac from 2018 to 2020, will team up with Miguel Oliveira as part of Yamaha’s first-ever season with the Italian squad. His move comes after a challenging period with KTM, where the 2024 season has been particularly difficult for him on the RC16. Despite a promising start to his MotoGP career, Miller has struggled to replicate his previous race-winning form.
Reflecting on the excitement of joining Yamaha, Miller said, “It’s awesome to have the opportunity to work with Yamaha. Such a prestigious and historic brand. They are pushing hard to get back to where they were just a few years ago, and I want to help them achieve that.”
Miller also shared his admiration for the Yamaha M1, a bike he has dreamed of riding since his early MotoGP days. “I’ve always wanted to ride one of those bikes. I used to follow Jorge and Vale when they were on the M1, and I thought, ‘That looks like a great bike to ride.’ So, I’m extremely excited to finally get onboard and see what it’s all about.”
Miller’s time with KTM has been a mixed bag, with a double podium finish in Jerez standing out as one of his few highlights. He admits that the results have not met his expectations, especially in 2024. “I would have liked a few more highlights, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles,” he reflected. “There are still plenty of opportunities this year, so fingers crossed we finish strong.”
Miller’s Role at Yamaha
Miller’s signing has raised some eyebrows, as Yamaha opted for an experienced rider at Pramac rather than the rookie many had expected. However, his vast experience with V4 engines is seen as a major asset for the Yamaha team, particularly as they develop their own V4 engine for the first time.
TNT pundit Neil Hodgson emphasized the value of Miller’s experience, particularly with V4 engines from his time at Honda, Ducati, and KTM. “Yamaha is in the development phase with their V4 engine, and Jack’s extensive experience with V4s makes him a great fit,” Hodgson said. “Yamaha’s number one rider, Fabio Quartararo, has only ever ridden an inline-four, so Miller’s experience is crucial as the team navigates this transition.”
As Yamaha looks to reclaim its competitive edge, Miller’s addition to the team could play a pivotal role in the brand’s ongoing development and efforts to challenge for podiums once again.
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