Jack Miller Delivers ‘Expensive’ Blow to Yamaha’s 2026 Plans to Replace Alex Rins
As the 2025 MotoGP season approaches the end of its summer break, Jack Miller’s future in the premier class remains clouded with uncertainty. The Australian rider, currently with the Pramac Yamaha satellite team, is out of contract after signing a one-year deal following his departure from KTM. With the recent signing of Toprak Razgatlioglu by Yamaha’s satellite team for 2026, Miller’s place in MotoGP is under significant threat.
Pramac Yamaha’s Uncertain Lineup for 2026
Miller is widely considered the frontrunner to retain his seat at Pramac, especially since his teammate Miguel Oliveira has reportedly failed to meet a performance clause in his contract. This shortfall could result in Oliveira losing his seat before his contract officially expires in 2026. Despite this, Pramac has yet to make a definitive decision regarding their 2026 rider lineup, leaving Miller’s status uncertain.
While Pramac remains the most natural landing place for Miller, speculation suggests that the 30-year-old might explore opportunities outside MotoGP. One of the main options being floated is a switch to Yamaha’s World Superbike (WSBK) team, where Miller has been linked with multiple squads in recent months.
Rumors of Miller Replacing Alex Rins at Yamaha Factory Team
There has also been talk of Miller replacing Alex Rins at the factory Yamaha team, partnering with Fabio Quartararo in 2026. Rins, struggling with performance and the lingering effects of a 2023 leg injury, has managed just a single top-10 finish in 2025, increasing speculation that Yamaha might seek a replacement.
However, recent reports suggest that this scenario is far less likely than previously assumed. According to journalist Val Khorounzhiy, Yamaha is unlikely to terminate Rins’ contract prematurely due to its significant financial cost. Rins reportedly holds a lucrative deal worth approximately £1.8 million per year, extending through 2026, making early termination a costly and complicated proposition.
Contractual Challenges for Yamaha
Speaking on The Race MotoGP YouTube channel, Khorounzhiy highlighted the difficulties Yamaha would face if they attempted to replace Rins mid-contract:
“Not only is that difficult to imagine in the current MotoGP landscape with not so many places on the grid, but they’re just not going to terminate Rins’ contract in advance. It’s probably too expensive, too much of a hassle, too much of a, just a difficult situation. You don’t really have to do it when you don’t have a rider who must be in there.”
He added that Yamaha has made tough decisions in the past, such as moving Valentino Rossi out of the factory team for Quartararo, but Miller’s case is different. “Jack Miller has done a reasonable job, but you don’t have to do it,” Khorounzhiy said.
Hope on the Horizon for Alex Rins with Yamaha’s V4 Bike
Despite his struggles, there is cautious optimism surrounding Alex Rins’ prospects in 2026, largely due to Yamaha’s planned introduction of a new V4 engine bike. This major technical shift is expected to help Yamaha regain competitiveness and could serve as a catalyst for Rins to rediscover his form.
Journalist Simon Patterson pointed out that Rins holds a unique distinction that even Fabio Quartararo does not: he has won a MotoGP race on a V4 bike. Patterson believes that the transition to the new machine could be pivotal in “helping him find his mojo again and maybe help him start that rebuilding process.”
Yamaha’s Reluctance to Make Sudden Changes
While Yamaha has shown improvements this year, with Quartararo grabbing four pole positions, the manufacturer appears hesitant to make any sudden roster changes. Given the investment in Rins’ contract and the expectation that the V4 bike will boost performance, Yamaha seems committed to maintaining continuity for now.
In this context, the potential replacement of Rins by Miller seems unlikely, and the Australian rider’s options within MotoGP may be limited. Whether this means a move to WSBK, another MotoGP team, or potentially an exit from the sport’s top class remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Jack Miller’s future in MotoGP is at a crossroads. With Pramac weighing its options and Yamaha unlikely to break Rins’ contract early, Miller faces an uncertain path forward. The arrival of Yamaha’s new V4 bike offers hope for Rins to reclaim his form, further complicating Miller’s prospects for a factory seat.
As the 2025 season resumes, all eyes will be on Miller’s performances and team decisions that could define his career trajectory for the coming years. Whether he remains in MotoGP or explores other racing categories, the 30-year-old rider must navigate a challenging landscape filled with contract complexities and fierce competition.
