Jack Miller Growing More Confident: Strong Progress Ahead of Suzuka 8 Hours

The preparations for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race are heating up, and Jack Miller is showing clear signs of adapting quickly to both the Yamaha R1 and the famously demanding Suzuka Circuit. Following a productive two-day private test session alongside Andrea Locatelli, the Australian MotoGP ace expressed satisfaction with his progress and excitement for the upcoming race weekend.

Miller Enjoys His Return to Suzuka

For Jack Miller, the Suzuka 8 Hours marks a return to a circuit he hasn’t ridden competitively since his MotoGP Honda days in 2017. Despite the long break, Miller wasted no time rekindling his affinity for the challenging Japanese track. His comments following the two-day test revealed a rider who is rediscovering his rhythm.

“It was nice to be back here in Suzuka, especially with the R1 – it’s a lot of fun,” Miller said after the test.

From the start, the experience of riding the endurance-spec Yamaha R1 offered Miller new challenges, but also plenty of enjoyment. Miller praised the collaborative effort with teammate Andrea Locatelli, emphasizing how the pair managed to establish a strong base setup and competitive pace.

“The long run with Loka [Locatelli] went well today; I think we did a good job together. The pace is good, the speed is okay, and I think that during the race weekend we will find a bit of extra margin when we need it – which is normal. Overall, working with the R1 feels good,” he explained.

Building Comfort on the Legendary Suzuka Circuit

Suzuka is widely regarded as one of the most technical and unforgiving circuits in the world. Even seasoned riders can find it tough to string together a perfect lap, and Miller acknowledged the challenge.

“I’m getting more and more comfortable with the Suzuka Circuit,” Miller admitted.

“It’s a long track, and there are many areas where you can make a mistake. Trying to put a perfect lap together is very difficult, so today was about becoming comfortable with your marks and getting ready for the Suzuka 8 Hours.”

This focus on refining track familiarity and minimizing mistakes is crucial in endurance racing, where consistency often trumps outright speed.

Locatelli Satisfied with Progress on the Yamaha R1

Fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli, a regular in World Superbike (WorldSBK), was equally positive about the test. Although Suzuka was unfamiliar territory for the Italian, his rapid progress on the Yamaha R1 endurance bike left him feeling upbeat.

“We did a lot of work today, and we’re really happy with the confidence we have on the bike,” Locatelli stated.

Locatelli described the test as a step-by-step process, explaining that the second day of testing brought a big improvement in terms of comfort and performance.

“Overall, it was much better than the first day – but that’s normal. On day one, we needed to get to know the bike, the track, and a million things around this bike. It was a good day two.”

Eyes on Race Weekend, But the Unknown Remains

Despite the positive vibes, Locatelli acknowledged that there are still unanswered questions regarding where Yamaha stands compared to the competition. With rivals such as Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki also preparing strong lineups, the true pecking order will only become clear during the race weekend.

“We still don’t know exactly where we stand when there are other competitors out there. We’ll need to check during the race weekend, but the team said the lap times today weren’t too bad.”

Nonetheless, the ability to maintain consistency without mistakes during the test is already a strong foundation for a successful race.

“They were consistent, with no mistakes – and that’s the main thing in an endurance race,” Locatelli stressed.

Locatelli also expressed his excitement about balancing his WorldSBK campaign with this new adventure in endurance racing.

“Of course, I’m also looking forward to going back and continuing my WorldSBK championship, but I already can’t wait to come back here again for the real Suzuka 8 Hours race weekend.”

Nakasuga Confirms Strong Base Setup for Yamaha Team

Behind the scenes, Yamaha’s endurance racing veteran Katsuyuki Nakasuga has been instrumental in preparing the bike and its base setup. Nakasuga, a four-time Suzuka 8 Hours winner, tested the bike during the official June test and handed it over to Miller and Locatelli in excellent condition.

“I’m relieved to see that the base setup we put together in the June test is working well,” Nakasuga commented.

Given the endurance format of the Suzuka 8 Hours, the Yamaha R1 must suit multiple riders with varying preferences. This requires compromises in setup and mutual adaptation.

“Because this is an endurance race, we have to share the same bike, so there are some things we all had to adapt to. But I think they both understood this well and improved their performance every time they went out.”

Nakasuga was unable to ride during the most recent private test but still played a role in finalizing tire selections alongside teammate Soichiro Minamimoto.

Yamaha’s Goals for the Suzuka 8 Hours: Podium Ambitions

While the Yamaha team remains cautious about their outright speed compared to competitors, there’s optimism that continued improvements in communication and setup refinement could place them in podium contention.

“Even at our present level, I think we can compete against our rivals. But if we can improve our communication a little bit more we can definitely aim for the top step of the podium,” Nakasuga concluded.

Suzuka 8 Hours: The Ultimate Endurance Test

The Suzuka 8 Hours is one of the most prestigious endurance motorcycle races in the world. Held annually at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, the event attracts factory-backed entries from top manufacturers, including Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.

Racing at Suzuka is particularly demanding due to the track’s technical complexity, the sweltering summer heat, and the endurance format, which tests the limits of both riders and machinery. Success at Suzuka is a matter of teamwork, consistency, and strategy, not just raw speed.

For Miller and Locatelli, the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours represents a unique challenge outside their usual racing environments. But with experienced teammates like Nakasuga and a capable Yamaha R1 beneath them, the team is shaping up to be one of the squads to watch when race day arrives.

Miller’s Transition from MotoGP to Endurance Racing

Jack Miller’s participation in the Suzuka 8 Hours is part of his broader transition after his MotoGP career. While still regarded as one of the most charismatic and skilled riders in modern racing, Miller’s move into endurance racing opens a new chapter in his career.

Endurance racing requires a shift in mindset. Riders must balance outright pace with long-term mechanical sympathy, stamina, and teamwork. Miller’s positive attitude during testing suggests he’s embracing this challenge.

“The Suzuka 8 Hours is one of those iconic events every rider wants to race in at some point. I’m stoked to be back here and working with such a great team,” Miller said.

Locatelli Balances WorldSBK and Suzuka Commitments

For Andrea Locatelli, balancing his WorldSBK championship fight with endurance racing adds another layer of complexity to his 2025 season. Nonetheless, the Italian remains enthusiastic about the challenge.

Locatelli’s ability to adapt quickly to the R1’s endurance configuration—and the unique Bridgestone tires used at Suzuka—bodes well for his future as a versatile Yamaha rider.

Looking Ahead to Race Weekend

With the final preparations underway, the Yamaha Racing Team will now turn their attention to fine-tuning their race setup during the Suzuka 8 Hours race weekend. The challenges will multiply, with increased track traffic, fluctuating conditions, and the ever-present risks of endurance racing.

The team’s focus will be on:

• Fine-tuning their bike setup for race conditions.

• Optimizing their tire strategy in partnership with Bridgestone.

• Improving communication and pit stop efficiency.

• Maintaining consistent, mistake-free riding over eight hours.

If testing form translates into race performance, Yamaha could be poised to challenge for a top-three finish or even the overall victory.

Conclusion: A Confident Start for Yamaha at Suzuka

The Suzuka 8 Hours is a race like no other, blending sprint-race speed with endurance-race strategy. Jack Miller’s renewed comfort on the Suzuka Circuit, combined with Andrea Locatelli’s rapid adaptation to the R1, signals that Yamaha’s preparations are firmly on track.

With the experienced Katsuyuki Nakasuga guiding the team and the technical package showing promise, the Yamaha Racing Team heads into the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours weekend with quiet confidence—and plenty of unfinished business.

The true test, however, is yet to come. All eyes will be on Suzuka when the lights go out for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in endurance racing history.