Jack Miller endured a nightmare Austrian Grand Prix, finishing last as Yamaha’s struggles deepened at the Red Bull Ring. The 30-year-old Australian fumed over what he described as a “mad” problem with his bike, saying he could not find traction no matter what he tried. With Yamaha riders filling the bottom four positions, frustration grew as Miller’s efforts went unrewarded. For a rider known for his grit, the lack of solutions left him visibly exasperated after a punishing weekend.
Key Highlights
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No Yamaha rider advanced to Q2 at the Austrian Grand Prix
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Fabio Quartararo’s 16th in qualifying was Yamaha’s best grid slot
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Quartararo managed P11 in the Sprint, the team’s weekend high point
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Miller fumed over zero traction and called the issue “mad”
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All Yamaha riders finished in the bottom four on Sunday
A Weekend to Forget
From the outset, Yamaha’s Austrian Grand Prix weekend was marked by setbacks. Fabio Quartararo could do no better than 16th in qualifying, while Jack Miller was last in 21st. Alex Rins and Miguel Oliveira also struggled, unable to lift the manufacturer from its deep slump. Quartararo briefly offered hope with an 11th-place finish in the Sprint, but that small gain was overshadowed by Yamaha’s overall lack of competitiveness. Rins, Miller, and Oliveira finished 16th, 17th, and 18th in the Sprint, confirming how far the team had fallen behind its rivals.
Miller’s Frustration at the Red Bull Ring
Miller’s Sunday race exposed the full extent of Yamaha’s issues. After finishing last, he expressed anger at the traction problem that plagued him throughout the weekend.
“There’s no way to find traction. In the race I tried everything possible I know how to do to find traction, whether it be short-shifting, being super patient on the throttle, whatever.” – Jack Miller
The Australian explained that despite trying multiple approaches, the bike remained uncontrollable once he hit certain speeds.
“It doesn’t matter what I did. You arrive to a certain point and it feels like at about 120-130km/h, once the forward momentum is enough, you start to lose load on the rear and the bike starts to spin like mad, and you can’t do anything about it.” – Jack Miller
His inability to solve the issue left him stuck at the back of the pack, with his frustrations boiling over after the race.
Fighting in Vain
Even in difficult conditions, Miller fought hard to keep his race alive. He gained positions early on but quickly fell back as his Yamaha faltered against the competition.
“I tried to fight with everybody tooth and nail, every person that came past me I was trying to pass back.” – Jack Miller
Yet the effort felt hollow, as Miller acknowledged the futility of his situation.
“You feel like a b—— when you’re doing that because you know you’re suffering so much … when they’re coming past on the acceleration and then you dive-bomb them, that’s all you can do.” – Jack Miller
His candor highlighted the depth of Yamaha’s struggles, with even a rider of his experience powerless against the machinery’s limitations.
A Bleak Outlook for Yamaha
Miller was not alone in his misery. Quartararo, Rins, and Oliveira also finished at the back, making Yamaha the slowest manufacturer in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix itself. Quartararo’s 11th in the Sprint provided only brief relief from an otherwise disastrous weekend.
With the Red Bull Ring exposing Yamaha’s weaknesses, the challenge ahead looks steep, requiring significant changes to regain competitiveness. For Miller, the frustration is clear: no matter his determination, the bike is not giving him the tools to fight where he belongs.
News in Brief: Jack Miller Austrian GP Reaction
Jack Miller was left furious after finishing last in the Austrian Grand Prix, complaining of a “mad” traction problem on his Yamaha. He said the bike began spinning uncontrollably at speeds of 120-130 km/h, leaving him helpless despite trying different techniques. Fabio Quartararo’s 11th in the Sprint was Yamaha’s best result, but all four Yamaha riders finished at the back of the main race. With frustration mounting, Miller’s candid words underline the team’s crisis.
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