The 2026 MotoGP season is shaping up to be fiercely competitive as Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira vie for a coveted position at Pramac. While Miller’s racing skills have often outperformed Oliveira’s, the emerging contest now encompasses not just track results but also factors like marketability and commercial influence, signaling a shift in how decisions may be made.
Performance Versus Potential: The Current Status of Miller and Oliveira
Jack Miller’s early season performance showcased his superior qualifying and racing abilities compared to Oliveira, yet his point accumulation recently has faltered, with only four points gained in the past three weekends. This decline casts uncertainty on his position. Conversely, Miguel Oliveira, despite facing setbacks due to injury earlier in the season, benefits from a two-year factory contract that provides him some security. Although Oliveira has yet to meet his performance targets, his expected physical recovery keeps him in consideration.
Additional Competition and the Role of Market Appeal
The entry of Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu into MotoGP in 2026 adds fresh pressure to the race for the remaining Pramac seat, intensifying the challenge for both Miller and Oliveira. Meanwhile, a new dimension complicates the contest: commercial appeal. MotoGP journalist Simon Patterson emphasizes Miller’s distinct advantage in this area.
Miller is more relevant commercially, both because he is Jack Miller and because he is an Australian rider at a time when the market is struggling,
Simon Patterson explains.
Shifting Priorities Under Liberty Media’s Leadership
With Liberty Media now managing MotoGP, the focus has turned toward expanding the sport’s reach in English-speaking nations. As one of the few riders fluent in English, Miller is positioned to act as an effective ambassador for key markets like Australia, the UK, and the United States. In contrast, while Oliveira has a solid fan base in Portugal, that market is considered less vital strategically. The low attendance at last year’s Australian Grand Prix, where only 34,000 of 92,000 seats were filled, highlights the necessity of reigniting local fan interest—a task Miller is uniquely suited to handle due to his nationality and personality.
Jack Miller’s Unique Position in MotoGP’s Future Landscape
Following Cal Crutchlow’s exit, Miller has effectively become the leading English-speaking MotoGP rider. His straightforward demeanor and engagement with fans make him an appealing figure for Liberty Media’s efforts to grow MotoGP’s profile among English speakers. Despite Miller’s need to improve results on the track, his marketability could heavily influence whether he secures his future with Pramac. The decision is increasingly less about race results and more about how riders represent the sport off the circuit.
Implications for the 2026 Season and Beyond
The battle between Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira epitomizes the evolving nature of MotoGP competition, where commercial considerations hold nearly equal weight to racing ability. As the two riders continue their fight in both sport and business arenas, the outcome will determine not only who claims a seat but also who best advances MotoGP’s global reach. Fans worldwide are poised to watch this high-stakes drama unfold, as the future of the sport’s representation hangs in the balance.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where is Jack Miller in 2025?
A. Feeling refreshed and inspired by being at home, Miller went back to Paolo Campinoti’s team in 2025. He is one of two racers representing Prima Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP as a factory Yamaha rider.
Q. Where will Jack Miller go in 2025?
A. Jack Miller will be part of the Factory ‘Yamaha Racing Team’ for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours race. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is excited to announce their initial team update for this endurance event.
