Jack Miller says it’s still possible for Andrea Dovizioso to become his teammate on the Ducati team next year.
The Italian announced his imminent departure from the Bologna plant in the middle of last weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix before he could claim his third victory at the Red Bull Ring within four years.
“I knew they were struggling to get a deal together, but for him to come out and say that was like ‘oh s ** t’,” Miller told Fox Sports’ Loud Pedal Podcast.
“He says he’s persistent, but stranger things have happened. Hopefully he’ll do well in the next few races, we could see a turnaround if not; I wish him all the best. “
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The 34-year-old’s relationship with Ducati has been strained in recent years and ‘Dovi’ is said to have been offended by the offer he received from the team after finishing second in the championship to Marc Marquez for the past three seasons had occupied.
Dovizioso is also runner-up in this year’s overall standings; after the first four races of the season he is only 11 points behind Frenchman Fabio Quatararo.
Miller does not expect any contribution to the replacement of the 15-time MotoGP race winner.
“It’s never really up to the drivers, it’s more of a management decision, so we have to get involved with whoever they want to use,” Miller said.
“I don’t think it makes up or breaks a team but when you have someone to get along with and tease a bit it helps, but we just have to wait and see what the Ducati management guys come up with . “
Possible successors are the current Pramac team-mate Pecco Bagnaia, the former Ducati rider and three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo and Avintia Ducati rider Johann Zarco.
When asked which of these drivers he has a better relationship with Miller replied, “Probably Pecco.
“It would help, but either way we will get through,” said the Australian.
“It’s nice when you have someone who is nice and fast and we can do a good job together and try to get up in the team standings as well.”
Miller finished third in Austria, his seventh podium in the premier class and is currently seventh in the championship standings.
MotoGP returns to the Red Bull Ring this weekend for the Styrian Grand Prix, the fifth race of the season.
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