JACK MILLER has described the moment he discovered his Ducati seat for the 2020 MotoGP World Championship was under threat from Jorge Lorenzo as being hit by a ‘tonne of bricks’.
After weeks of being assured his 2020 MotoGP deal with Ducati was simply a case of sorting paperwork and that the delays were down the operational headache of running four factory specification bikes for the first-time next year, Miller discovered this week that this wasn’t in fact the case.
Instead, Lorenzo – currently on the sidelines recovering from injury – has used his time outside the paddock to scope for rides following an unhappy start to life with the title-winning Repsol Honda. As well as Ducati, Lorenzo has reportedly approached Yamaha via the Petronas SRT team.
As such, Ducati top brass is said to be entertaining the notion of welcoming Lorenzo back just months after it bid farewell to the Spaniard. The three-time champion competed with Ducati in 2017 and 2018, but signed for Honda early on the back of indifferent form aboard the Desmo, only to enjoy a strong end to last season.
The revelation seems to have caused a rift inside Ducati, with certain figures favouring Miller, who has scored two podiums on the Pramac bike this year – and others considering a good deal on a proven race-winner is the way to go.
Either way, Miller – never one to shy from a soundbite – is firm about his view of Ducati top brass, but insists he is unconcerned about his future whether it is with the manufacturer or not.
“It’s easy to feel, for sure,” he told our sister publication Crash.net. “We’re getting comfortable and I think we’re doing a good enough job. Clearly some people are thinking I haven’t so I guess I have to do a better job. It hit me like a tonne of bricks.
“Some other people found out earlier. I didn’t need to know last weekend, obviously. But anyway, I’m not stressed. I don’t think he’ll [Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti allow Jorge in this box. That makes me happy."
What next for Jack Miller?
“I’m just trying my best to put it all to bed and get that contract in my pocket. I’m not too stressed. I’ve done a good enough job this year to secure a contract for next year. Whether that will be with Ducati or another manufacturer…
“Even after the press conference yesterday I was getting calls from other manufacturers so there are definitely stuff on the cards for me. There are other options. But I’d like to stay here for sure.”
Miller scored his second podium of the year at Brno only last week from the front row, in arguably his most competitive weekend yet in MotoGP. His team-mate Pecco Bagnaia is riding the 2018 Ducati this year, but will get a 2020 machine next season as part of his two-year deal.
