New Contract, New Ambitions: Yamaha Officially Extends Contract with Jack Miller
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has officially confirmed that Jack Miller will remain with the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team for the 2026 MotoGP season. The announcement was made in Montmeló, Spain, on September 4th, 2025, finalizing the team’s line-up for next year alongside two-time Superbike World Champion and current WorldSBK leader Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who will make his much-anticipated MotoGP debut.
This renewal signals Yamaha’s long-term vision for its satellite MotoGP project and reinforces the trust the brand has placed in Miller’s experience, adaptability, and developmental insight. For Miller, the continuation of this journey is not only a career boost but also a chance to further contribute to Yamaha’s efforts to close the competitive gap in a rapidly evolving MotoGP field.
Jack Miller’s Impact in His Return to Pramac Racing
Jack Miller’s return to Pramac Racing for the 2025 season was already a notable storyline. After riding for Pramac between 2018 and 2020 on Ducati machinery, Miller rejoined the team this year as part of Yamaha’s restructuring of its MotoGP satellite program. His first season back with Pramac coincided with Yamaha’s transition period, a phase in which the Japanese manufacturer focused on revamping the YZR-M1 package and reestablishing a competitive presence against the likes of Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Honda.
In his debut year back on Yamaha machinery, Miller achieved a best race result of fifth place at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. While this result may not have been headline-grabbing, it symbolized steady progress and crucial data collection. Equally significant was Miller’s involvement in Yamaha’s prestigious endurance racing efforts, helping the factory squad to claim second place at the 46th Suzuka 8 Hours, showcasing his adaptability across racing disciplines.
A Key Partnership with Toprak Razgatlıoğlu on the Horizon
With the confirmation of Miller’s renewal, Yamaha’s 2026 MotoGP line-up for the Prima Pramac team is now complete. Miller will be joined by Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, one of the most talented and aggressive riders to emerge from WorldSBK in recent years. The Turkish star, known for his jaw-dropping braking control and fearless racecraft, represents Yamaha’s bold step into developing new-generation talent in MotoGP.
The pairing of Miller and Razgatlıoğlu is a deliberate balance between experience and innovation. Miller brings years of knowledge across multiple manufacturers, an essential asset in providing technical feedback and consistency, while Razgatlıoğlu offers raw speed, unique style, and a fresh development perspective. Together, they could be the dynamic combination Yamaha needs to regain momentum in the satellite field and challenge for podiums.
Yamaha Pays Tribute to Miguel Oliveira
The announcement also came with an emotional note as Yamaha bid farewell to Miguel Oliveira, who will depart from the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team at the end of the season. Oliveira, despite suffering an early-season injury in Argentina that forced him to miss four Grands Prix, played a key role in the Yamaha development project.
Yamaha expressed gratitude for Oliveira’s professionalism, team spirit, and resilience, highlighting the importance of his contributions during a pivotal transition year for the manufacturer. Oliveira’s future remains uncertain at this point, but given his proven speed and versatility, it’s unlikely he’ll be without competitive options heading into 2026.
Management’s Confidence in Miller’s Future
Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, shared his optimism regarding Miller’s continued role in the team:
“We are pleased to confirm that Jack will continue his journey with the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team. Jack’s energy, extensive experience, and proven adaptability across different machines have made him an invaluable member of our team and an instant fit for our project. With a full year of experience on the Yamaha, these qualities will be a tremendous asset as we look ahead to the 2026 season.”
Pavesio also acknowledged the mixed emotions of the moment, praising Miguel Oliveira for his contributions and expressing the team’s commitment to finish the season strongly together.
Jack Miller Looks Ahead to 2026 with Renewed Ambition
In his own statement, Miller reflected on his journey and excitement about the future:
“I’m really happy and excited to stay with Yamaha and the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team. This year has been an amazing return to Pramac Racing. I’m looking forward to working hard with Yamaha to help develop the bike and close the gap to the other manufacturers. I believe the best is still to come. Most of all, I want to say a massive thank you to Yamaha, Pramac Racing, and to the two Paolos, Pavesio and Campinoti, for their continuous trust in my contribution to the project.”
Miller’s words reflect not just professional gratitude but also a clear sense of purpose, suggesting that the Australian rider views this next phase as an opportunity to help Yamaha climb back toward the front of the MotoGP grid.
Jack Miller’s Career Journey: From Moto3 to MotoGP Veteran
Jack Miller’s road racing career began in 2009, making the leap from dirt racing to asphalt circuits. His early career saw steady progression through the 125cc ranks, winning the IDM 125 Championship before stepping into the 125cc World Championship. His breakout year came in 2013 with Racing Team Germany, consistently running at the front and drawing attention from factory outfits.
In 2014, Miller mounted a Moto3 title challenge with Red Bull KTM Ajo, narrowly losing out to Alex Márquez. That same year, he made the unprecedented move straight from Moto3 to MotoGP with the LCR Honda team in 2015, bypassing Moto2 entirely — a leap that very few riders have attempted.
His MotoGP journey truly came alive with Marc VDS Racing, where he claimed a stunning maiden victory at the rain-soaked 2016 Dutch GP in Assen. From there, Miller steadily built a reputation as a reliable, aggressive, and technically astute rider. His time with Pramac Ducati from 2018 to 2020 established him as a podium regular, ultimately earning him a factory Ducati seat in 2021.
With Ducati, Miller delivered multiple victories, including career-defining performances in 2021 and 2022, before moving to KTM in 2023. After two challenging seasons, Miller returned to the Pramac fold, now aligned with Yamaha, in 2025.
As of the 2025 season, Miller sits 17th in the MotoGP Riders’ Championship, with a best result of fifth in Austin. While the results may not yet reflect Yamaha’s ambitions, the groundwork being laid suggests that the next chapter could bring a turnaround.
What This Means for Yamaha and MotoGP
The contract extension of Jack Miller signals stability at a time when MotoGP is undergoing technical and competitive upheaval. Yamaha’s willingness to retain Miller despite a challenging season underscores their belief in his long-term value as both a rider and development contributor.
With the combination of Miller’s technical insight and Razgatlıoğlu’s raw speed, the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team is positioned as an exciting wildcard heading into 2026. If Yamaha’s ongoing development delivers improved performance in straight-line speed and acceleration — areas where the YZR-M1 has historically lagged — the team could emerge as a genuine threat in the satellite ranks.
Ultimately, the renewal is about more than just another season of racing. It represents continuity, belief, and ambition — the hallmarks of a team determined to return to winning ways. For Jack Miller, it’s another chance to prove that his best MotoGP days are not behind him but waiting just ahead, in Yamaha blue.
