Jack Miller’s performance in the 2024 MotoGP season has been mixed. He has only 27 points after six weekends, but has had numerous crashes. Nevertheless, KTM always speaks very positively about the Australian. He himself sees his contribution in Mattighofen highly and his future there, even if he is in danger of being replaced by super rookie Pedro Acosta.
Jack Miller emphasizes: I have contributed to KTM’s progress
“It means we are doing something right. That I have done something right. Two years ago nobody wanted this job. I have the best bike on the grid [die Werks-Ducati, Anm. d. Red.] to come here. Now it’s a pretty coveted place, so we did a good job,” Miller defended his work before the classic in Mugello. His poor start to the season doesn’t bother him: “I do the work with the team on and off the track. If I concentrate on the important things, then I know that the results will come.”
But he is not only interested in the results themselves, but in the overall progress at KTM. And when it comes to this, ‘Thriller Miller’ is very optimistic: “We have made massive progress with this project and I believe we can continue like this to build a bike that will make the red machine [die Ducati, Anm. d. Red.] can stop.” Therefore, he makes it clear: “I think my contribution was enough and will continue to be enough. And who knows what will happen in the future? I did not sign on to this project to leave after two years. That was not my intention.”
MotoGP place swap with Pedro Acosta? Jack Miller opens the door wide!
But there is a sword of Damocles hanging over Miller: Can KTM still avoid giving the fantastically performing rookie Pedro Acosta Miller’s place in the factory team from 2025? Not really, and the Australian himself admits this: “Will I be demoted? KTM has an extremely fast rookie and to be honest – if I were in KTM’s position – I would be very pissed if I [Acosta, Anm.] would lose. So I understand that they have to do what is necessary.”
However, no factory team does not mean farewell to KTM. Other riders would not be happy with the demotion to the customer team of GasGas is unlikely to accept it. Miguel Oliveira left KTM for exactly this reason. Miller, on the other hand, is completely open to this possibility: “Of course! I’ve always said that. Tech3 is no longer a satellite team, it’s actually a factory bike, just in red. As I said: I didn’t sign to leave after two years and then not be able to reap the rewards.”
Miller’s contract with KTM expires at the end of the year. Even if it were ‘only’ with GasGas, he wants to extend it. He is of the clear opinion that he has earned this with his contribution, poor results or not: “My focus, understanding the bike and improving it, has never been lost. My work off the track has never let up. I’m working harder than ever. I love the guys at KTM. They’ve done a fantastic job in a short space of time. I didn’t come here to piss off at the first opportunity.” With this attitude, Miller makes the decision by Pit Beirer & Co. to promote Acosta much easier. It’s no wonder, then, that he is so popular within the company despite a weak season so far.
Will Jack Miller be able to achieve good results again in Mugello? Here you can find all the information about the schedule and TV broadcast of the MotoGP classic: