Yamaha has officially included four-time MotoGP race winner Jack Miller in its lineup for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, alongside the previously confirmed Katsuyuki Nakasuga. This announcement took place during the British MotoGP weekend, marking Miller’s return to the prestigious event as part of Yamaha’s full factory team entry celebrating their 70th anniversary.
Miller’s appointment is a key part of Yamaha’s strategy to field a strong team by selecting riders from both their current MotoGP and World Superbike (WorldSBK) rosters. The team’s third rider will be revealed soon, with Yamaha confirming it will be chosen from their WorldSBK talent pool.
Miller’s Past Experience and Enthusiasm for Suzuka
The Australian rider, currently racing for Pramac, brings valuable Suzuka experience after finishing fourth in the 2017 edition with Honda. Additionally, Miller has participated in several end-of-season races in the Australian Superbike Championship on a Ducati, further broadening his endurance racing credentials.
Expressing his excitement at rejoining Suzuka, Miller said,
“It’s obviously a massive honour for me to be able to represent Yamaha at the Suzuka 8 Hours this year.”
He added,
“It’s a race I’ve been wanting to go back to since 2017 when I finished fourth, losing to Yamaha that time.”
Miller also highlighted the opportunity to compete on the Yamaha R1 machine as a significant motivation.
“I look forward to hopefully a good result for them at home and receiving some big support from the Japanese fans,”
Miller remarked, underscoring his eagerness to deliver a strong result for Yamaha on Japanese soil.
Yamaha’s Ambitious Vision Backed by Leadership and Rider Strength
Tetsu Ono, General Manager of the Motorsport Strategy Division at Yamaha Motor Co., emphasized the importance of assembling a top-tier lineup for their 70th anniversary challenge. He stated,
“With the goal of writing a new page in our 70-year history of taking on challenges and to deliver excitement to our fans worldwide who have supported us throughout those 70 years, we have been looking for the best rider line-up to win the Suzuka 8 Hours.”
Ono expressed pride in confirming Miller as a critical part of this effort, noting his significant influence on Yamaha’s MotoGP team, where he has contributed extensively to testing, development, and team morale. He described Miller as the ideal fit given his Suzuka experience and attributes, saying,
“Just as he already does in MotoGP, Miller will bring to the team his experience, knowledge, passion, and fighting spirit.”
Ono also highlighted expectations for a memorable race, adding,
“With Miller in our line-up, we’re aiming to put on a race that will be remembered by fans around the world. The team’s third rider will be announced at a later date, so please keep an eye on future announcements.”
Significance of Miller’s Selection for Yamaha and MotoGP Prospects
Jack Miller’s inclusion in Yamaha’s 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours team signals more than just a return to endurance racing. It underscores Yamaha’s trust in his talent and dedication, reinforcing his role within the factory outfit across different racing disciplines. His participation represents an opportunity to strengthen Yamaha’s presence in a globally celebrated endurance event while boosting the team’s ambitions for victory in 2025.
Furthermore, Miller’s confirmation for Suzuka may also indicate positive momentum toward extending his MotoGP contract, reflecting his valuable contribution both on and off the track. As the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours approaches, fans can anticipate an energized Yamaha squad led by riders with experience, passion, and determination.
