MotoGP: Jack Miller signs a two-year factory team deal with KTM

Jack Miller will race for Red Bull KTM in MotoGP next season after signing a two-year deal with the Austrian manufacturer.

The Aussie will line-up alongside Brad Binder in the factory team, with Miller back within the KTM setup for the first time since 2014. That year, Miller finished second overall in Moto3 with Aki Ajo’s team.

Since 2018 Miller has raced within the Ducati MotoGP setup. Between 2018 and 2020 he raced for the satellite Pramac team, working for new KTM boss Francesco Guidotti. Miller was promoted to the factory team in 2021 and has since taken two victories.

Miller has long been rumoured as the rider who would have to lose his Ducati ride in order to either Jorge Martin or Enea Bastianini to be promoted to the factory team. Bastianini has won three races in 2022 for Gresini Racing Ducati, whilst Martin shone in his maiden season last year, taking a single victory and three further podiums.

“Having Jack alongside Brad in our team means we have another strong asset,” Red Bull KTM Team Manager, Guidotti said. “I know him well; I know how he likes to work and what he can bring to the box. I believe his character and the way he will ride and push our KTM RC16 will help us a lot at this stage of our project.

“Like Brad, Jack is a pure racer: he will find the limits and the maximum of any condition and any package and still ‘go for it’ to get the result and that is quite a rare quality. The next two seasons will be exciting!”

Despite only being 27, Miller has been in the Grand Prix paddock for over a decade. He shockingly moved straight from Moto3 to MotoGP in 2015, onboard an Open Class LCR Honda RC213V-RS. The following year he secured a stunning maiden victory in the wet at Assen.

During his successful 2014 Moto3 campaign with Aki Ajo’s KTM team, Miller secured six victories, 10 podiums and eight pole positions. However, he was pipped to the title by Alex Marquez by only two points.

“Of course, we’ve known Jack since he made a boom with Aki and our Moto3 program and it’s a big pleasure to bring a rider of his capabilities into our MotoGP structure,” KTM Motorsports Director, Pit Beirer added.

“He left us with a positive impression, and we’ve stayed in contact. Jack’s approach and attitude to racing are very similar to ours. I am very proud that he comes back to Red Bull KTM again and he will be a great addition to our mission.”

Miller’s move to KTM confirms Miguel Oliveira’s departure. The Portuguese rider has been linked with a move to Gresini Racing to race alongside Bastianini after turning down a return to KTM’s satellite Tech3 team.

Martin still the favourite to take Miller’s Ducati seat despite an inconsistent 2022 season, whilst Pol Espargaro has been linked with move to Tech3 KTM. Espargaro spent five seasons with the factory KTM team, whilst he also spent three seasons with Tech3 when it was Yamaha’s satellite team.