Jack Miller has warned he will look elsewhere on the MotoGP grid if he does not get the opportunity to join the Ducati factory team for the 2021 season as competition for the seat intensifies.
The Australian enjoyed his strongest season to date in 2019, recovering from a relatively slow start to the year on the Pramac Ducati satellite, securing five podium places and just behind factory driver Danilo Petrucci in the overall standings.
In fact, Miller – who rode a current machine for the first time – found himself in an indirect competition with Petrucci for the Ducati ride in 2020, having received both one-year contracts on the premise that they could swap seats depending on the shape.
Petrucci’s win at Mugello eventually led to his being confirmed for 2020, although his net worth deteriorated compared to Miller after that, sparking speculation that they might actually switch seats. However, Ducati dismissed this as “bullsh * t”.
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Nonetheless, Miller has the Ducati factory firmly in his sights for 2021, as both Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso are out of the contract. Still, with almost the entire field in need of renewal, Miller says he’ll happily move to another team if he’s not promoted for 2021.
“My main goal is to go to the Ducati (team) factory,” said Miller. “If we can’t go, there are sure to be other places.”
Miller goes on to say that there are some drivers “in their latest contracts” without naming names and that teams should be more interested in investing in the newer generation
“I think it’s a necessary time, there are a couple of guys now who have their last contracts.
“It’s pretty good to see fresh blood coming – everyone wants to see the old guys, but it’s also very nice to see some new guys coming in and doing really well.”
Jack Miller faces a major competition for the Ducati seat in 2021
Miller’s words should come as no surprise, given the chaos Ducati wreaked when it stalled on Australian MotoGP 2020 deal, when Jorge Lorenzo suddenly became available.
Although Miller has built an excellent relationship with the Pramac Racing team and is clearly at home on the Ducati, there does seem to be some trouble with the top brass in Italy. So if it argues over its plans for 2021, Miller could be one of the first to look elsewhere.
What does not help him is the strong competition for the two Ducati factory headquarters. Assuming Andrea Dovizioso – second in the past three seasons and the cornerstone of the team’s fate – isn’t going anywhere, Miller isn’t the only driver watching Petrucci’s drive.
While the Italian is definitely under pressure to perform after his strange slump in 2019, Miller could be threatened by Pramac teammate Pecco Bagnaia, who this time will drive the current Ducati. In the meantime, Johann Zarco has also made his intention clear that he will only ride the one-year-old Avintia bike because he believes it will impress enough to conclude a works contract.
Then there are the wildcards that could really shake up the market. Insiders claim Ducati is keen to attract Maverick Vinales to the team because his driving style suits the Desmosedici, while Fabio Quartararo is definitely a target if Yamaha can’t guarantee him a factory seat in 2021.
In short, Miller may be the favorite for the Ducati 2021 factory seat because of his 2019 shape, but the man himself may not be waiting for the decision to be made for him.
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