Neil Hodgson Confirms: Jack Miller Will Continue with Pramac MotoGP Until 2026!
The future of Jack Miller in MotoGP has taken a dramatic turn as the Australian rider delivered an outstanding performance at the German Grand Prix, bolstering his case to retain his seat with Pramac Yamaha in 2026. Miller’s impressive Friday showing comes at a pivotal moment, as he battles both Miguel Oliveira and rising Moto2 star Diogo Moreira for a coveted spot in Yamaha’s satellite team next season.
Jack Miller Impresses at Sachsenring Amid Contract Talks
Jack Miller’s German GP weekend got off to a flying start as he finished second fastest in FP1, trailing only the dominant Marc Márquez. This eye-catching result puts Miller firmly in the shop window at a critical juncture of the 2025 MotoGP season.
The Australian has had a difficult campaign so far, with his best result being a P5 at the Americas GP in March. Since then, consistent struggles have seen him finish higher than 14th only once. But now, with his future on the line, Miller appears to be delivering when it matters most.
With Yamaha’s management watching closely, a strong German GP could be the deciding factor in Miller retaining his ride. Yamaha are expected to finalize their 2026 rider lineup before the summer break, potentially making the announcement as soon as next week.
Pramac Yamaha’s 2026 Puzzle: Miller, Oliveira, and Moreira in the Mix
The Pramac Yamaha squad is facing a significant shake-up ahead of the 2026 season. Yamaha have already confirmed that Toprak Razgatlioglu, the reigning World Superbike champion, will join their satellite team in 2026. This leaves just one seat up for grabs.
Currently, both Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira occupy the two Pramac seats, but neither rider is fully secure. Oliveira, despite being under contract, is facing the threat of Yamaha triggering his performance clause, which requires him to be inside the team’s top three performers. With Oliveira struggling and a 27-point deficit to Miller, it’s unlikely he will meet the benchmark before the critical Brno round.
Complicating matters further is Yamaha’s growing interest in Diogo Moreira, the Brazilian Moto2 talent who has turned heads this season with several standout performances. There is even a slim possibility that Pramac could opt for an all-new lineup featuring Razgatlioglu and Moreira, leaving both Miller and Oliveira without a MotoGP seat.
Paddock Sources Back Jack Miller to Stay
Amidst the uncertainty, several respected voices in the MotoGP paddock believe that Jack Miller is edging closer to securing his future. TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson, speaking during Friday’s FP1 coverage, reported a strong “vibe” from insiders at Sachsenring suggesting that Miller is the favorite to stay.
“The smart money seems to be on Jack Miller. That’s the vibe in the paddock. Let’s see, we will find out.” – Neil Hodgson, TNT Sports
Hodgson emphasized that Miller’s positive relationship with Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha’s franchise rider, plays a key role in his favor. Miller is viewed as a valuable teammate who can help Quartararo push the development of the Yamaha M1 forward—something neither Oliveira nor Alex Rins have managed consistently.
Oliveira’s Options: MotoGP or World Superbikes?
If Miguel Oliveira does lose his Pramac ride, he won’t be short of offers elsewhere. Fellow TNT Sports analyst Michael Laverty believes that the five-time MotoGP race winner would immediately attract interest from major World Superbike teams.
“You would imagine Miguel Oliveira’s name will be very high on the list for Yamaha, for Ducati, for Honda in World Superbikes,” Laverty said. “If Miguel doesn’t retain his spot at Pramac, he’ll wave goodbye to this paddock for now at least.”
Yamaha, in particular, may try to keep Oliveira within their broader racing ecosystem, offering him a seat in their World Superbike squad, where his experience and pace would be highly valuable.
Performance Clause: Oliveira Running Out of Time
Oliveira’s contract contains a clear performance clause, stipulating that he must remain inside Yamaha’s top three performers. Unfortunately for the Portuguese rider, injuries and inconsistent results have derailed his 2025 campaign. Heading into Germany, he trails Miller by 27 points, and with only a few rounds left before the summer break, time is running out.
If Oliveira fails to close the gap by the Brno round, Yamaha are expected to activate the clause, freeing them to make a rider change for 2026.
Miller’s Path to Redemption in MotoGP
For Jack Miller, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After difficult stints at Ducati and KTM, where inconsistency plagued his performances, Miller joined Pramac Yamaha hoping to revitalize his career. However, the 2025 season has been far from smooth sailing, as he struggled to adapt to Yamaha’s technical package.
Now, though, signs of a turnaround are emerging. A strong performance in Germany, backed up by automatic Q2 qualification, could prove to Yamaha that Miller is still a valuable asset. His Friday showing suggests that he has found a better balance with the Yamaha M1, improving both his corner speed and tire management—areas that had previously been Achilles heels.
Why Yamaha May Bet on Experience Over Youth
While Diogo Moreira is an exciting talent, Yamaha may be hesitant to field two rookies—Razgatlioglu and Moreira—in their satellite team. Retaining Miller could provide the perfect blend of experience and youth, giving the squad a proven race winner to guide development and support the team through the transition to MotoGP’s new regulations in 2027.
There is a belief in the paddock that Miller may hold the seat for just one more season, acting as a bridge rider before Yamaha promotes Moreira or another young talent in 2027, when the sport undergoes a major technical overhaul.
The Fabio Quartararo Factor: Miller’s Key Ally
Sources within the paddock suggest that Fabio Quartararo’s opinion carries significant weight in Yamaha’s decisions. The Frenchman, who remains Yamaha’s star rider, is believed to favor keeping Miller as a teammate, citing the Australian’s work ethic, speed, and technical feedback.
Miller’s ability to push Quartararo in practice sessions and races is seen as beneficial for the overall growth of Yamaha’s MotoGP project, something the quieter Oliveira has struggled to do.
Contract Length Still Unclear
While optimism surrounds Miller’s chances of staying, it remains unclear whether Yamaha will offer him a one-year deal for 2026 or a longer-term contract. The paddock consensus leans toward a short-term deal, with Yamaha keeping their options open for the 2027 rider market, which is expected to be one of the most turbulent in MotoGP history due to the upcoming rule changes.
What’s Next? Yamaha’s Decision Timeline
Yamaha have signaled that a decision will be made before the summer break, meaning fans and teams won’t have to wait long for clarity. The team will likely finalize their choice by the end of the Brno Grand Prix weekend, giving the selected riders time to focus fully on the second half of the season.
Until then, every session counts for Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira. With the German Grand Prix offering an immediate platform to prove their worth, all eyes will be on Sunday’s race to see who can rise to the occasion.
Final Thoughts: Miller’s Future Looking Brighter
Despite a challenging year, Jack Miller’s recent form at Sachsenring has breathed new life into his MotoGP career. Backed by strong paddock sentiment and his ability to complement Quartararo’s efforts, Miller appears poised to stay with Pramac Yamaha for 2026.
For Miguel Oliveira, the writing may be on the wall, but opportunities remain in World Superbikes and beyond. Whatever Yamaha decides, the next chapter of MotoGP’s rider market drama is sure to be compelling.
The only certainty is that Jack Miller isn’t giving up his seat without a fight—and this weekend in Germany, he’s proving why he belongs on the MotoGP grid in 2026.
