Jack Miller is fighting to retain his Pramac MotoGP ride for the 2026 season. The team have just signed two-time World Superbikes champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Naturally, that means either Miller or teammate Miguel Oliveira will have to make way. As the rider on an expiring deal, the former would appear to be under greater threat.
However, Oliveira’s deal includes a performance clause, and he’s not meeting it right now. Yamaha are entitled to let him go halfway through his two-year agreement if he’s their lowest-ranking rider in the championship.
| RANK | RIDER | CHAMP | PTS |
| 1 | F Qua | 10th | 59 |
| 2 | J Mil | 16th | 31 |
| 3 | A Rin | 17th | 31 |
| 4 | M Oli | 23rd | 3 |
That gives Miller, the second-fastest Yamaha on average this season behind Fabio Quartararo, reason to be optimistic. There was a moment last year when it looked as if his MotoGP career was over after KTM let him go, but Pramac handed him the last available seat.
Gino Borsoi tight-lipped on Jack Miller future – but he offers some hope
GPOne spoke to several MotoGP team bosses about the ramifications of Razgatlioglu’s defection from WSBK. Inevitably, team manager Gino Borsoi was questioned on Pramac’s line-up plans – Yamaha’s statement simply said further details would be announced in due course.
Borsoi was mysteriously tight-lipped, but he did reiterate that no decision has been made. The two riders have an opportunity to ‘demonstrate their value’.
This tallies with a media report that Yamaha have given Miller and Oliveira until the summer break to make their case. There are four races remaining before that juncture.
Yamaha value Miller’s contribution to their development, and it’s encouraging for his fans that a contract extension is a firm possibility.
“We have two different agreements with the two riders,” Borsoi said. “I don’t want to add anything else, but we are open to discussions even if for now nothing has been decided yet.
“Jack and Oliveira can still demonstrate their value and if they are fast we would be happy to continue together.”
The solution to Yamaha’s rider problem is staring them in the face
There have been some whispers that Miller could replace Alex Rins at the factory team next year. That would arguably be the smartest move for Paolo Pavesio.
Razgatlioglu can’t join Yamaha’s main team for the moment due to his ties with Red Bull (they have a title sponsorship with rival energy drink Monster). Besides, they need to see how he copes with the change of discipline first.
Oliveira is unfortunate to have missed four races through injury – Fermin Aldeguer was penalised for the crash that led to it – but he’s only three points across four Grands Prix and five Sprints. If he doesn’t improve significantly, it would be fair to let him go.
Provided it’s allowed within his contract, Yamaha could then demote Rins to the satellite team alongside Razgatlioglu, effectively giving him one last chance on up-to-date equipment after his disappointing performance.
Quartararo and Miller at the factory team, Rins and Razgatlioglu at Pramac – the solution to Yamaha’s rider problem could be staring them in the face.
