Jack Miller Stumbles at Assen: What Lessons to Learn After 6 Out of 7 Times Outside the Top 10 This Season

Jack Miller’s MotoGP nightmare shows no sign of letting up. The Australian rider endured yet another frustrating Sunday at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing outside the top 10 for the sixth time in the last seven races. As his results continue to stall, the future of Miller’s career now hangs in the balance, with Pramac and Yamaha evaluating their 2026 line-up.

Now sitting 19th in the riders’ championship, Miller is on track to match his worst-ever season — his rookie campaign back in 2015. And with his contract set to expire at the end of 2025, time is running out to make a convincing case for renewal.

“I’ve Learned a Lot” — But Learning Isn’t Enough

Following the race at Assen, Miller acknowledged the ongoing struggles, both personal and mechanical.

“It’s been a tough stretch. I’ve learned a lot, but I’m here to get results, not just lessons,” he said with a weary tone after the race.

His inability to break into the top group wasn’t entirely due to rider error. Pramac’s Yamaha machine continues to show its limitations, particularly on Sundays, where race pace and tire longevity have let down both Miller and teammate Miguel Oliveira.

The Aussie has fought through these challenges with his trademark grit, but the results simply don’t reflect the effort — and in MotoGP, results are everything.

Miller’s Message to Yamaha: Don’t Forget My Work

Miller hasn’t been shy about his ambitions. As Yamaha considers its rider options for 2026, including who will replace Alex Rins in the factory squad, Miller had a clear message:

“Don’t forget how much I’ve worked this season. I’ve stayed close to Fabio [Quartararo] more than anyone else in the Yamaha camp,” he emphasized.

Indeed, based on raw speed and qualifying form, Miller has often been the second-best Yamaha rider behind Quartararo. Yet, that hasn’t translated into consistent race finishes or championship points.

Despite this, insiders note that Miller’s speed remains valuable — and with proper machinery or setup improvements, he may still deliver top-tier performances.

Teammate Trouble: Oliveira Also Under Pressure

It’s not just Miller feeling the heat. Miguel Oliveira, who also failed to finish in the points at Assen due to an incident, is facing similar contract uncertainty. Both riders are under scrutiny as Pramac and Yamaha look ahead to 2026.

Miller and Oliveira form a duo that, while talented, hasn’t produced the results Yamaha hoped for when it aligned with Pramac. The partnership, which was meant to help speed up Yamaha’s development, is now under critical review.

“If results don’t improve, both riders could be dropped,” a paddock source revealed this week.

Slight Reprieve: Gonzalez Not Coming… Yet

There was a sliver of good news for Miller this week. Gino Borsoi, Pramac’s team manager, confirmed that Moto2 talent Manuel Gonzalez won’t be promoted in 2026 — at least for now.

That decision buys Miller a little more time, but the message remains clear: results or removal.

Assen Analysis: The Same Problems Persist

Miller’s struggle at the Dutch GP reflected the same issues that have plagued him all year:

• Lack of grip on corner exit

• Inconsistent front-end feel under braking

• Poor acceleration in mid-race conditions

“The Yamaha’s just not built for Sunday battles right now. We’ve got speed for qualifying, but that doesn’t win races,” Miller admitted post-race.

These technical shortcomings have made late-race consistency nearly impossible, especially on a circuit like Assen, where momentum and grip transitions are everything.

Could Miller Still Earn a Factory Seat?

While Alex Rins’ place at factory Yamaha seems up for grabs, Miller’s chances of taking it remain slim. Despite showing more pace than Rins and Oliveira in many sessions this season, Yamaha is rumored to be exploring younger or non-Yamaha options for its next big rebuild.

And Miller knows it.

“It’s tough watching it slip away, but I’ll keep fighting until the last lap of the last race,” he told reporters. “That’s who I am. That’s what I do.”

His resilience is commendable, but the MotoGP paddock is ruthless — and without a dramatic performance swing, Miller may find himself searching for a ride elsewhere.

Final Thoughts: Is Time Running Out for Jack Miller?

Jack Miller is a proven race winner, a fan favorite, and one of the paddock’s most genuine personalities. But MotoGP doesn’t run on sentiment — it runs on lap times and podiums.

As 2025 unfolds, Miller needs a breakthrough — not just to avoid a career-worst season, but to convince Yamaha and Pramac that he still belongs on the grid in 2026.

If not, the door to MotoGP’s elite paddock may quietly close — and Miller’s racing story could reach an abrupt, undeserved end.