Jack Miller, known as one of the most seasoned riders in MotoGP, faced a difficult start to the 2026 season at the Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram. Riding a Yamaha prototype that has struggled all year, Miller finished near the back of the pack, notably trailing behind newcomer Toprak Razgatlioglu, an outcome that surprised many fans and experts. Despite this setback, Miller continues to leverage his experience to support Yamaha and assist Razgatlioglu as he adjusts to the premier class.
In addition to mentoring his Pramac teammate Razgatlioglu, Miller plays a critical role in Yamaha’s ongoing efforts to improve their V4-powered M1 bike. His technical input during engineering meetings has been highly valuable, although some aspects of his racecraft, especially tyre management, have raised concerns ahead of the coming season.
Technical Analyst Highlights Miller’s Tyre Management Weaknesses
Peter Bom, a respected MotoGP technical analyst, recently discussed Miller’s challenges with tyre management during an episode of the Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast. Bom pointed out that the 2026 Thailand race was slower than the 2019 event largely due to tyre issues, with multiple riders describing difficulty in maintaining rear tyre grip on the straights.
Bom explained,
“Listening to the riders, there were more than a few explaining how difficult it was to survive the race just because of the spinning of the rear tyre on the straights, in fifth and sixth gear as well. So they finally never got to full throttle at all.”
Regarding Miller specifically, Bom commented,
“There are riders like Jack Miller, who are… Jack is good at a lot of things, but he’s not very good at keeping a tyre for a long time or going fast with a worn tyre.”
He further noted,
“So he was the last of all the Yamahas this time, just for that. He’s in more trouble in situations like this. So, for me, it’s a combination of super high track temperatures and this rear tyre that never really got updated.”
Miller’s tyre struggles contributed to his finishing position near the bottom of the riders who completed the race, just ahead of substitute rider Michele Pirro and behind Razgatlioglu. In comparison, Yamaha’s lead rider Fabio Quartararo secured 14th place, finishing ahead of factory teammate Alex Rins.
Miller’s Future at Pramac and His Role in Yamaha’s Development
While the 2026 season has started with mixed results for Miller, he appears to have secured his place with Pramac for 2027. Unlike the uncertainty that surrounded his contract for the current season, Miller’s position seems more stable as the premier class prepares for new technical regulations.
Neil Hodgson, a former MotoGP competitor, has speculated that Miller might be aligning closely with Yamaha’s corporate goals to maintain his seat. Hodgson remarked on Miller’s attitude with Yamaha, suggesting this alignment is a strategic effort:
“Neil Hodgson thinks that Miller may be towing Yamaha’s ‘corporate line’ to keep his seat at Pramac into the future.”
Beyond contract considerations, Miller’s reputation as one of the grid’s top bike developers remains strong. His work is widely acknowledged as crucial in Yamaha’s attempts to boost the M1’s competitiveness this year, offering hope that improvements in bike performance could soon translate to better race outcomes.
Despite today’s frustrations and technical difficulties, Miller’s experience and development skills maintain his relevance and importance within the MotoGP community, especially as Yamaha pushes to regain a podium position.
