Jack Miller: ‘I’ve learnt about 10% of what I need to’

Jack Miller reckons he is only just starting to understand what he will need to become a competitive force in the MotoGP world championship in the future.

Miller has made the huge leap from the entry level Moto3 category to join the CWM LCR Honda squad in 2015 on an unprecedented three-year HRC deal. It has seen the Aussie go from a KTM Moto3 that produces around 55bhp to Honda’s upgraded RC213V-RS Open class bike, which is producing close to 250bhp.

Miller returned to track action in Sepang last week and finished the first winter test down in 20th position, though he was faster than Karel Abraham and Eugene Laverty, who are both riding the RC213V-RS machine this season.

But Miller, who lost the 2014 Moto3 title by just two-points to Spanish rival Alex Marquez, says he is under no illusions about the size of the learning curve he is on to adjust to the heavier and more powerful MotoGP machine.

Miller said: “I’ve learnt about 10% of what I need to learn. Every time I go out I get more used to the brakes and the power. I’m making steps forward and we haven’t hit the wall yet.”

Miller’s main area to improve as the pre-season moves forward is rear wheelspin, though he has been using minimal electronic assistance while his team help him adapt to MotoGP.

He added: “My biggest problem is too much spinning. As soon as the track temperature goes up the rear just lights up and we are running next to no traction control. The next test will be how to work more with the electronics.”

Miller said his riding style is constantly evolving and he said: “It has to change a little more. With the Honda you can’t roll through corners, so you have to stop properly and turn the bike. That’s different to Moto3 where it’s high corner speed and then letting it go through the corners.

“We’re not too far away but we’re not as close as we want to be but my style is changing continuously, picking the bike up and not opening the throttle too much on exit while the tyre is on edge and starting to spin. It’s not easy but I’m learning.

“The heavy braking suits my style and now it’s about working out with these bigger tyres when you’re squashing it too much going into the corner. That’s what I’m working on at the minute and working out the limits of the tyres. That’s why we have been doing such extreme distances on the tyres and trying to work out when it drops off.”