Yamaha’s short-term plan: Pramac only held Jack Miller for one year before replacing him with a ‘left-handed rider’?

Jack Miller faces a critical moment in his MotoGP career as the paddock heads to the 2025 German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. The Australian star, currently riding for Pramac Yamaha, must deliver a standout performance to convince Yamaha to extend his stay beyond this season. With rising Moto2 talent Diogo Moreira emerging as a left-field option for 2026, Miller finds himself under increasing pressure to secure his future.

Yamaha’s contract puzzle: Who will stay at Pramac in 2026?

Heading into the summer break, Yamaha has a crucial decision to make regarding the Pramac MotoGP team’s 2026 line-up. The Iwata manufacturer has already secured Toprak Razgatlioglu on a two-year deal starting in 2026, leaving one seat up for grabs. That second seat is currently contested between Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, though Yamaha’s long-term ambitions are clearly focused on promoting young talent.

Yamaha holds the option to release Miguel Oliveira at the end of this season, despite the Portuguese rider signing a two-year factory contract. The deal contains a performance-related exit clause, allowing Yamaha to part ways with him if he is the lowest-ranked Yamaha M1 rider by mid-season.

Oliveira struggles as Miller battles inconsistency

Ahead of the German Grand Prix, Oliveira’s results have left much to be desired. He sits at the bottom of the Yamaha rider standings with just 6 points, trailing well behind Fabio Quartararo (67 points), Alex Rins (35 points), and Jack Miller (33 points). Yamaha’s patience is running thin, and they want to finalize the 2026 Pramac rider line-up before the Czech Grand Prix on July 20.

Despite his own struggles, Miller holds a slim advantage over Oliveira. But with rising Moto2 star Diogo Moreira catching Yamaha’s eye, Miller’s future is far from secure.

Diogo Moreira: Brazil’s rising star turns heads in Moto2

Reports from Fox Sports Australia reveal that multiple credible sources within the paddock believe Yamaha is strongly considering signing Diogo Moreira, who has been in scintillating form in Moto2. The Brazilian rider’s performance surge has made him an unexpected but serious contender for a MotoGP seat.

Moreira made history by becoming the first Brazilian to win a Moto2 race, clinching victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. Since a tough weekend in America where he finished 21st, the 21-year-old has not finished outside the top five in any of the following four rounds. His meteoric rise has suddenly propelled him onto Yamaha’s radar for MotoGP promotion.

Adding further intrigue, the Brazilian Grand Prix is set to return to the MotoGP calendar in 2026, making Moreira an attractive choice for both competitive and marketing reasons.

Yamaha’s dilemma: Promote Moreira now or wait until 2027?

Although Yamaha is eager to integrate Moreira into its premier-class plans, the manufacturer may choose to delay his promotion until 2027, giving him another full season to develop in Moto2. Such a decision would provide Yamaha the opportunity to offer Jack Miller a one-year contract extension, allowing the Australian to partner Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2026.

This scenario would give Miller a temporary reprieve but leave his long-term future uncertain. Should Moreira continue his rapid progression, it’s only a matter of time before the Brazilian makes his MotoGP debut.

Miller’s record at the Sachsenring could be his saving grace

If Miller hopes to extend his MotoGP career, the German Grand Prix could be pivotal. The 30-year-old has a solid history at the Sachsenring, scoring points in each of his nine MotoGP appearances at the track. His best result came in 2022, when he secured a third-place finish riding for Ducati.

Repeating or improving upon that performance this year could persuade Yamaha to grant him another contract. Miller needs to demonstrate that he can still fight near the front of the pack, despite an inconsistent 2025 campaign so far.

The bigger picture: Yamaha’s broader MotoGP rebuild

Yamaha’s decisions regarding Pramac are part of a wider effort to rebuild its MotoGP competitiveness. Signing Toprak Razgatlioglu was a major coup, as the Turkish star has dominated World Superbike and is widely viewed as a generational talent. The move signals Yamaha’s intent to rejuvenate its rider roster and challenge for championships again.

The search for Razgatlioglu’s partner at Pramac, therefore, is not just about filling a seat—it’s about laying the foundation for Yamaha’s future. Whether that future includes Miller, Oliveira, or Moreira will depend on both performance and potential.

Jack Miller’s turbulent MotoGP journey continues

Jack Miller’s career has been marked by highs and lows. After bursting onto the MotoGP scene with LCR Honda, he endured difficult years before revitalizing his career at Ducati. A move to KTM didn’t yield the desired success, leading to his surprise return to Yamaha through Pramac in 2025.

So far, his one-year deal with Pramac Yamaha has produced flashes of speed but also inconsistency. While Miller remains a popular figure in the paddock, Yamaha’s focus is increasingly on nurturing the next generation.

Miller’s experience and technical feedback are valuable assets to any team, but in a results-driven sport, sentiment rarely wins out over speed and youth.

What does the future hold for Miguel Oliveira?

While Miller’s future hangs in the balance, Miguel Oliveira is facing a similarly precarious situation. Despite securing a two-year factory contract to join Pramac, his poor results have triggered the possibility of an early exit. If Oliveira fails to improve his form before the Czech GP, Yamaha may activate the release clause in his contract.

This leaves open the possibility that both Miller and Oliveira could be replaced in the coming years, with Diogo Moreira and Toprak Razgatlioglu representing Yamaha’s future vision for the Pramac squad.

Can Miller turn the tide at Sachsenring?

The Sachsenring has been kind to Miller in the past, and he will need to call upon every ounce of his experience and grit to deliver a strong result this weekend. Yamaha’s top brass will be watching closely, and the Australian knows what’s at stake.

A podium finish could drastically change the narrative around his future. Conversely, another poor outing could see Yamaha accelerate its succession plan, potentially leaving Miller without a seat in 2026.

Brazilian MotoGP dreams gaining momentum

For Yamaha, signing Diogo Moreira would be a historic move. Brazil has been absent from the MotoGP premier class for decades, and Moreira’s rise offers a chance to reignite the sport’s popularity in South America. With the Brazilian GP returning in 2026, the stars seem aligned for Moreira’s MotoGP promotion.

However, the decision on when to make that jump—2026 or 2027—will hinge on Yamaha’s assessment of Miller’s and Oliveira’s performances in the coming weeks.

Yamaha’s decision expected before the Czech GP

Yamaha aims to lock in its Pramac rider line-up before the Czech Grand Prix on July 20. That gives Miller and Oliveira precious little time to prove their worth. Every lap at the Sachsenring and beyond will carry added significance as the riders fight for their MotoGP futures.

The verdict: Miller facing career-defining moment

Jack Miller finds himself at a familiar crossroads. The Australian has battled adversity throughout his career and bounced back each time. But with Diogo Moreira’s rapid rise, Yamaha’s rebuilding phase, and Toprak Razgatlioglu’s arrival, the odds are stacked against him.

Still, writing off Jack Miller has always been a mistake. If he can channel his past Sachsenring success and deliver under pressure, he could yet earn a one-year reprieve. But even then, the writing may be on the wall, with Yamaha looking to the future.

For now, the 2025 German Grand Prix could determine whether Miller’s MotoGP story gets another chapter—or if it’s the beginning of the end.