MotoGP Blockbuster Contract: Why Jack Miller Shouldn’t Be the One to Leave?

As Yamaha prepares for major MotoGP changes ahead of the 2026 season, all eyes are on who will be axed to make room for the highly anticipated arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Turkish sensation, fresh off his dominant WorldSBK performances, is set to rejoin the premier class paddock and bring a spark to a Yamaha team desperate to return to glory.

But this much is clear: for Toprak to come in, someone must go out. And while many assume Jack Miller, who’s on a one-year deal for 2025, would be the logical choice to exit, a closer look at the data and dynamics suggests Miller is the wrong rider to cut. In fact, retaining Miller might be one of the smartest strategic moves Yamaha can make.

Jack Miller’s 2025 Form: Most Consistent Among Yamaha’s “At-Risk” Riders

With Yamaha’s current lineup including Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira, and Alex Rins, one of these three must make way for Toprak Razgatlioglu. So far in 2025, Miller has been the strongest performer among the “at-risk” group. Despite jumping onto a radically new Yamaha package, Miller has shown strong qualifying results, steady race pace, and most importantly, consistent finishes.

In multiple rounds, Miller has qualified inside the top eight and outperformed his teammates in head-to-head battles. His ability to quickly adapt to the inline-four M1—a stark contrast to his former V4 bikes like the Ducati and KTM—demonstrates why Yamaha trusted him to help develop their machine for the future.

Yamaha insiders reportedly admire Miller’s blunt feedback and ability to immediately communicate where the M1 lacks compared to its competitors. That feedback is crucial for a factory trying to reclaim competitiveness after years of stagnation.

Jack Miller’s Experience: A Vital Asset for Yamaha’s Rebuild

Few riders on the MotoGP grid bring the cross-manufacturer experience that Jack Miller does. From Honda to Ducati to KTM and now Yamaha, Miller has been on nearly every kind of MotoGP machinery available—and succeeded on all of them.

That kind of comprehensive knowledge is invaluable as Yamaha works with Pramac Racing to return to full competitiveness. The Yamaha-Pramac partnership, starting in 2025, is a crucial bridge between factory excellence and customer team development. Miller’s insight could be pivotal to smoothing that transition.

As Yamaha rolls out new aero packages, engine maps, and chassis tweaks, Miller will act as a control variable—someone with deep comparative experience who can help filter what works and what doesn’t. In contrast, Oliveira and Rins have far less experience on a range of bikes and haven’t shown the same feedback efficiency.

Marketing and Media Presence: Miller Is a Star in a Quiet Paddock

With Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP, the series is entering a new era focused heavily on global branding and media presence—something Formula 1 has already leveraged to great effect.

In this landscape, Jack Miller’s personality is a marketing goldmine. A fluent English speaker with a big Aussie sense of humor, Miller offers a rare blend of charm and relatability in a paddock increasingly dominated by quiet, corporate-savvy riders.

As Liberty Media works to expand MotoGP’s visibility in the US, UK, and Australia, riders who can connect with English-speaking audiences will be even more valuable. Miller is that guy. From viral paddock interviews to relaxed, unscripted content, Miller brings the kind of personality-driven fan engagement MotoGP desperately needs.

Suzuka 8 Hours Selection Proves Yamaha’s Faith in Miller

Perhaps the strongest evidence of Yamaha’s trust in Jack Miller is their decision to include him in the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours team. The iconic endurance race is a sacred event in Yamaha’s racing calendar and one they approach with intense seriousness.

They don’t just hand out seats at Suzuka. Only riders they trust completely, who can deliver under high-pressure multi-hour races and adapt to Superbike specs, get the nod. That Miller made the cut speaks volumes about how Yamaha views his value beyond just MotoGP results.

The Case Against Miguel Oliveira: Injury-Prone and Underperforming

On the other side of the rider equation is Miguel Oliveira, who’s endured a difficult run with injuries and lackluster results. Despite his undeniable talent, Oliveira has struggled to find rhythm or reliability on Yamaha machinery.

Insiders report that his contract has a performance clause that allows Yamaha to part ways if he finishes as the lowest-ranked Yamaha rider in the standings—a very real possibility given his 2025 trajectory. Even when healthy, Oliveira has failed to match Miller’s consistency and qualifying pace.

While his technical feedback is respected, it lacks the urgency and clarity that Miller offers—a key detail when Yamaha is trying to cut through development bottlenecks.

The Case Against Alex Rins: Factory Contract, Factory Underperformance

Alex Rins, meanwhile, has had a difficult return to full fitness after his injuries in 2023. Yamaha’s decision to give him a factory seat was based on faith in his historic ability to win on underdog machines—like he did with Suzuki. But that faith hasn’t translated into results.

Rins has consistently qualified in the lower midfield and has rarely challenged for top-10 finishes. Even with access to the best Yamaha parts, he’s not delivering the kind of performances that justify his factory rider status.

And with the possibility of Aprilia or Honda looking to rebuild, Rins may actually benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. His name still carries weight, and his exit could be a win-win for both Yamaha and himself.

Toprak Razgatlioglu: Yamaha’s Star for 2026

The arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2026 is one of the most exciting upcoming developments in MotoGP. A former WorldSBK champion with gravity-defying braking and jaw-dropping corner entries, Toprak has long been seen as the most MotoGP-ready rider not currently in the paddock.

His test outings with Yamaha have been impressive, and sources say that Toprak’s team and Yamaha are already preparing a customized M1 package to fit his unique riding style. While his arrival is all but confirmed, the question remains: Who will step aside to make room?

Based on performance, adaptability, team dynamics, and commercial value, it should not be Jack Miller.

What Yamaha Needs for 2026: A Strategic Lineup

To win in the evolving MotoGP landscape, Yamaha must look beyond just lap times. The future of their team depends on assembling a balanced lineup that mixes performance, development feedback, commercial appeal, and internal leadership.

A 2026 Yamaha lineup of:

• Toprak Razgatlioglu (factory star with elite race-winning potential)

• Jack Miller (development anchor, fan favorite, experienced across all manufacturers)

…would be a formidable and logical pairing.

It balances risk (Toprak’s inexperience in MotoGP) with reliability (Miller’s proven adaptability), and creates one of the most compelling rider lineups on and off the track.

Final Verdict: Miller Must Stay for Yamaha’s Revival

Cutting Jack Miller in 2026 would be a mistake. He’s outperforming rivals, improving the M1, entertaining the fans, and anchoring Yamaha’s developmental progress. While Oliveira and Rins have had their moments, neither offers the full-package value Miller brings.

If Yamaha wants to win in this new era—both on the track and in the eyes of Liberty Media’s growing global audience—they need more than just raw speed. They need riders who understand the game, connect with fans, and help engineer a comeback.

In that light, the decision becomes clear:

Jack Miller deserves to stay.