Monday, December 29, 2025

Jack Miller Set to Keep MotoGP 2026 Seat Despite Admitting “Silly Mistakes” and Tough Competition

Jack Miller is expected to maintain his place in MotoGP for the 2026 season as Pramac Yamaha finalizes its lineup. The team has secured the signing of World Superbikes champion Toprak Razgatlioglu for next year, but the identity of Razgatlioglu’s teammate remains undecided, with Miller and Miguel Oliveira competing for the spot. Miller’s recent performance, including a fifth-place finish in the sprint race at the Sachsenring, reinforced his credentials ahead of a key decision.

Miller, who ranks 12th in the current MotoGP standings compared to Oliveira’s 23rd position, emphasized his ongoing efforts to secure his seat after demonstrating competitiveness despite some struggles adapting to the new machinery.

“You are always racing to keep your seat,”

Miller told TNT Sports, acknowledging some mistakes but maintaining confidence in his speed and progress.

He added,

“Yes, we have made some silly mistakes as well. But there are teething issues with the new bike. The pace is good. The speed is still there. We are still trying to understand and progress this new machine.”

Despite the uncertainties surrounding teammate selection, Miller remained focused on his own performance:

“We’ll wait and see what happens on the other side. We can’t do f*** all about that!”

Support from Industry Experts Strengthens Miller’s Case

TNT Sports analyst Michael Laverty expressed strong backing for Miller’s retention, citing his valuable contribution to the team’s development. Laverty pointed out the contrast between Miller’s consistent development efforts and Oliveira’s unfortunate run of incidents, supporting Miller as the logical choice for Pramac Yamaha’s future plans.

“It’s a tough one when you look at the results on paper, then the development and what Jack has brought to the package,”

Laverty said. Regarding Oliveira, he noted,

“Miguel has been unlucky. He is the most unfortunate rider on the grid. He has been taken out so many times through no fault of his own.”

Laverty concluded with a clear recommendation to the team’s manager:

Jack Miller
Image of: Jack Miller

“If I’m Paolo Pavesio thinking about the Yamaha bigger picture, I am signing Jack Miller.”

Both Miller and Oliveira were recruited this year as Pramac Yamaha transitioned from Ducati to Yamaha motorcycles, bringing diverse experience from riding Ducati, KTM, Honda, and Aprilia machines. However, the arrival of Razgatlioglu means only one spot remains, with a decision expected during the upcoming summer break.

Oliveira Faces Final Weekend to Impress at Brno

Miguel Oliveira heads into the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno knowing this is his last chance to secure his position for 2026. To gain an edge, Oliveira recently completed a private test at the circuit focused on fine-tuning his Yamaha setup. He described the test positively but acknowledged remaining challenges in evaluating his pace without direct comparison throughout the field.

“We had two very productive days of testing in Brno and finished with good feelings overall,”

Oliveira said, adding,

“Still, having so many laps under our belt should help — we hope to start strong already from Friday, which would really help us with the rest of the weekend.”

Team principal Gino Borsoi expressed optimism about Oliveira’s preparation and hopes that the recent testing will give the team a competitive advantage on the newly resurfaced track.

“I‘m really curious to see how things go this weekend in Brno. Thanks to the two days of testing, Miguel has a solid base to start from, while Jack, like most of the field, will need to reacquaint himself with the track — especially with the new asphalt,”

Borsoi explained. He added,

“Since few riders have tested here, I hope that gives us the edge to get a strong result.”

Miller Looks Forward to Racing at Brno

Jack Miller arrives in Brno confident after a strong performance at Sachsenring, where he scored points in both the main race and sprint, though he wished to keep pace closer to championship leader Fabio Quartararo. Miller recalled his fondness for the circuit, recalling a 2019 podium and praising the recent resurfacing work that offers fresh challenges on the MotoGP machine.

“I‘m coming off a solid weekend where I felt good on the bike and picked up points in both races. Even if I would‘ve liked to stay closer to Fabio (Quartararo), who did a great job,”

Miller said. He continued,

“I‘m happy to be back in Brno — I love this place. I got a podium here in 2019 and it‘s such a mega track, especially on a MotoGP bike.

They‘ve resurfaced it, and Miguel tested here recently and seemed quick. I can‘t wait to get on track.”

Upcoming Decisions Could Shape 2026 MotoGP Lineup

The upcoming summer break will be decisive for Pramac Yamaha as they finalize their MotoGP rider choices for 2026 amid fierce competition. With Razgatlioglu’s entry securing one spot, the choice between Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira hangs on both recent performances and contributions to the bike’s development. Miller’s steady progress and expert endorsements position him well for retention, while Oliveira’s recent preparations at Brno represent his last opportunity to make a strong impression.

The final announcement will impact the team’s strategic direction as it aims to compete at the highest level with a blend of experience and emerging talent for the upcoming season.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Where is Jack Miller in 2025?

A. Miller went back to Paolo Campinoti’s team in 2025. He became one of the two racers representing Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP as an official Yamaha rider. Home has a special feeling that refreshes you, which might be why he returned.

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 pleased to announce its initial update on the team’s riders for this event.