Jack Miller Optimistic ‘Speed Is Still Fine’ Despite Crash That Sent Him to Q1 at MotoGP Spain

Jack Miller’s return to the Spanish Grand Prix was packed with drama, near-misses, and a frustrating crash—but also with promise. The Pramac Yamaha rider displayed notable speed throughout Friday’s practice at Jerez, but a fall during his final time attack prevented him from gaining direct entry into Q2. Despite that, Miller remains optimistic and confident that his race pace is strong enough to mount a comeback, both in the Saturday sprint and the Sunday main event.

While many riders were caught off guard by the demanding nature of the Jerez circuit, Miller’s adaptation to the 2025 Yamaha M1 was evident from the opening session. Even after his fall at Turn 7, Miller emphasized that the pace is present—it’s now just a matter of fine-tuning some technical areas and putting it all together when it counts.

Jack Miller’s Friday Crash Overshadows Positive Start

Jack Miller opened the day with a sixth-place finish in Free Practice 1 (FP1), setting the tone for what looked to be a promising weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Australian, now in his first season with Pramac Yamaha after parting ways with KTM, demonstrated an immediate understanding of the Yamaha chassis at an “old-school” circuit like Jerez. “The feeling on the bike was good right from the morning,” Miller said. His performance through the first sectors was especially solid, and the early pace even put him on track to advance directly into Q2.

That progress was halted abruptly during his final flying lap in the second session. Miller was closely tailing former Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia, trying to squeeze everything out of the M1. He described narrowly avoiding disaster at Turn 1 after a front-end tuck but recovering the bike. “On the second tyre, I was following Pecco and tucked the front at Turn 1, but I managed to save it. Still, I lost some time and had to push hard through the next two corners to close the gap.”

Unfortunately, the pressure to regain lost ground pushed him over the edge. Heading into Turn 7 with too much speed and not enough rear stability, Miller’s front tyre finally gave way. “I came into Turn 7 a bit hot, didn’t get much stopping from the rear, forced the front a little, and the bike just gave up—down I went.”

Strong Qualifying Potential Cut Short

Miller’s fall left him just 0.235 seconds outside the Q2 cut, a bitter pill to swallow given how well his earlier laps were shaping up. His best time still came from his initial lap, which he was forced to abort due to a yellow flag while riding behind Marc Márquez. “That still ended up being my best lap,” Miller said, a clear indication of just how close he came to a much better result.

Team officials were equally disappointed but took comfort in the Australian’s overall pace. “We’re obviously disappointed by Jack’s crash, which cost him a Q2 spot that was well within reach,” said Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi. “But his pace, both over one lap and in race trim, is very encouraging. That gives me a lot of confidence heading into the Sprint and Sunday.”

Even Yamaha factory rider Fabio Quartararo’s strong showing underscored the M1’s capability at Jerez. Quartararo finished fifth overall, showcasing the potential of the machine when properly dialed in. “This old-school circuit really seems to suit the Yamaha,” Borsoi noted. That adds further belief that Miller’s struggles are not due to a fundamental flaw in the bike but rather a few small tweaks that could yield big results.

Technical Adjustments: The Key to Unlocking Pace

Jack Miller’s post-session comments focused heavily on engine braking and rear-end stability. He highlighted these as crucial areas where he needs improvement before heading into Saturday’s qualifying sessions. “We just need a bit more support from the engine braking, and I’m confident we’ll get that sorted for tomorrow.”

The Yamaha M1 has often been praised for its front-end grip and agility, which suit Miller’s aggressive riding style. However, the bike’s limitations under hard braking and acceleration, particularly at technical tracks like Jerez, have posed a challenge. Miller’s ability to adapt his style and push the engineers for setup improvements will be critical.

His team has already made several changes to balance the rear, but they still appear to be slightly behind the optimal configuration. “The bike is close,” Miller said. “We’ve made good steps since the last round, and it’s really about finding that sweet spot, especially under braking into the tighter corners.”

Sprint Race Opportunity: Miller’s Chance for Redemption

With direct entry into Q2 off the table, Miller will now have to navigate the Q1 gauntlet on Saturday morning. The format has historically thrown up surprises, and Miller is no stranger to fighting his way through to the final stages of qualifying. More importantly, the new MotoGP Sprint Race format gives him an immediate shot at redemption later in the day.

The 12-lap Sprint Race at Jerez could actually play to Miller’s strengths. He has shown consistent speed over short stints and tends to excel in aggressive, elbows-out races where tire conservation isn’t the top priority. Given his Friday performance, Miller has every reason to believe that he can still finish the day strong, even if Saturday morning starts from a less-than-ideal position.

Team manager Gino Borsoi is banking on that potential. “Jack’s always been a fighter. The crash is disappointing, but he’s mentally strong and technically smart. If we get the rear sorted, I think he’ll surprise people.”

The Broader Yamaha Picture: Quartararo Leads the Charge

Jack Miller wasn’t the only Yamaha rider making headlines on Friday. Fabio Quartararo delivered a standout performance, finishing the session fifth overall and even leading parts of the session. This reinforces the idea that the 2025 Yamaha package, though not without its challenges, is fundamentally strong—particularly on circuits like Jerez that reward fluid cornering and stability through fast transitions.

“This circuit really highlights the strengths of the M1,” said Quartararo. “We’re still working on rear grip, like always, but the front is excellent, and that gives you the confidence to really attack.” This bodes well not only for the Yamaha factory team but also for Pramac and Miller, as it suggests the platform is capable of competing with the front-runners when optimized correctly.

Augusto Fernandez, Miller’s Pramac teammate, had a more muted day, ending up in 20th place. However, even he noted improvements in feel and setup throughout the session. “We had to make some setup changes, and that gave me a better feeling,” Fernandez said. “But we’re still not getting much support from the rear, which is making things tricky.”

Jack Miller’s Determination and the Road Ahead

For Jack Miller, the Spanish Grand Prix weekend has already become a story of resilience and tactical focus. He has shown the speed necessary to fight at the front but must now overcome the setback of having to go through Q1. Fortunately, the experience is not new to him, and he remains unshaken.

“The pace is there,” he reiterated. “We’re close, and it’s just about putting the last pieces together.” That blend of confidence and realism is a hallmark of Miller’s approach in 2025, as he continues to adapt to the nuances of the Yamaha M1 and build rapport with his new team.

With track conditions likely to evolve and race strategies coming into sharper focus, Saturday’s sessions will be pivotal. Should Miller advance through Q1 and execute in the Sprint, it would not only validate his Friday optimism but also reestablish him as a contender for the podium on Sunday.

Final Thoughts

Jack Miller’s Spanish Grand Prix weekend may have hit a bump in the road on Friday, but his speed and technical insights suggest a strong rebound is possible. From setting competitive times in FP1 to nearly securing Q2 entry despite a crash, Miller’s performance underscores both his talent and the potential of the Pramac Yamaha.

If engine braking improvements materialize and confidence continues to build, Miller could very well turn this setback into a standout result. With his characteristic grit and the support of a motivated team, the rest of the Jerez weekend promises plenty of excitement for fans and serious redemption potential for Jack Miller.