Ducati is exploring the possibility of offering Jack Miller a factory seat in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) for the 2025 season, as negotiations with the current KTM MotoGP rider intensify. This potential move comes amid uncertainty surrounding Alvaro Bautista’s future with Ducati in WSBK.
Bautista’s position has been under scrutiny after a challenging round at the Czech Republic circuit in Most. Where BMW’s Toprak Razgatlioglu continued his dominance with a hat-trick of wins. Bautista has struggled to compete with the Turkish rider and has also been outperformed by rookie teammate Nicolo Bulega. Who leads him by 40 points in the standings.
During the Czech Republic weekend, Bautista revealed his desire to extend his contract with Ducati, expressing his wish to continue for at least one more season. “I want to continue. We are talking with Ducati about renewing the contract,” Bautista said. “I think it’s not fair to end my career like this. I need to enjoy the bike again, to feel strong.”
Reports indicate that Bautista’s representatives have requested a more lucrative contract, prompting Ducati to consider other options. Ducati’s factory team currently has a budget of approximately one million euros for rider salaries. With Bautista earning €750,000 and Bulega receiving €200,000. Bulega’s recent contract renewal for 2025 includes a significant salary increase to €450,000, leaving Ducati with limited budget flexibility.
As result, Ducati has reached out to Jack Miller, who was part of their MotoGP team from 2018 to 2022. Miller, who won three MotoGP races with Ducati before moving to KTM last year, is now under consideration for a WSBK seat. With KTM set to promote Pedro Acosta to the factory team and sign Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini for 2025, Miller will leave KTM.
Initially, it seemed Miller might find a new opportunity with Aprilia’s satellite team, Trackhouse Racing. But with the team now close to signing Moto2 contender Ai Ogura, that option appears to be closing.
Miller is currently evaluating his options and has requested time until the Austrian Grand Prix from August 16-18 to make a decision about his future. Apart from Ducati, he reportedly has at least one other offer from a factory team in WSBK.
As the rider market evolves, Miller’s next move remains a critical point of interest in the world of motorsport.
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