Pramac Yamaha Will Sacrifice Jack Miller to Welcome Toprak Razgatlioglu “I can’t see how”

The 2026 MotoGP grid is beginning to take shape, but one potential move is creating a tidal wave of speculation and debate: Toprak Razgatlioglu’s long-rumored jump from WorldSBK to MotoGP. All signs point to Pramac Yamaha securing the Turkish phenom’s services, but if that happens, whose seat is in jeopardy?

Despite whispers that Jack Miller is the most likely casualty, the Aussie has received major backing to keep his MotoGP seat, and many insiders are stunned at the notion of letting him go. With the factory Yamaha squad locked in and Pramac now fully embedded as a factory-supported satellite team, the stakes have never been higher.

Toprak Razgatlioglu to MotoGP: The Rumor Becomes Reality

For years, MotoGP fans have speculated on when or if Toprak Razgatlioglu would make the leap to MotoGP. The 2021 World Superbike champion has dazzled fans with his aggressive, acrobatic style and fearless braking. While he previously declined offers, citing the lack of a full-factory MotoGP ride, the stars now seem aligned for a transition.

The latest reports suggest Razgatlioglu will join Pramac Yamaha in 2026, marking a monumental shift in the Turkish rider’s career—and forcing a shake-up within the current Yamaha rider lineup.

Pramac Yamaha’s Current Lineup: Miller and Oliveira

Since ending their long partnership with Ducati, Pramac has rebranded as Yamaha’s satellite team, running the same-spec M1s as the factory squad. The team’s inaugural Yamaha duo—Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira—has generated significant intrigue.

Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins hold the two factory Yamaha seats, leaving Miller and Oliveira as Pramac’s current stars. But only one of them has an expiring contract: Jack Miller.

Jack Miller: The Surprising Star in a New Era

Despite being the most vulnerable on paper, Jack Miller is arguably the least deserving of being shown the door. Having made the switch to Yamaha machinery for the 2025 season, Miller was expected to go through a steep learning curve. However, his adaptation has exceeded expectations.

Speaking on the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Peter McLaren stated:

“Miller is the second-fastest Yamaha rider fairly consistently. It’s only his first year on the bike, and he hasn’t quite got the final results to show it, but he’s been much faster than his place in the championship suggests.”

This performance, paired with the fact that Miguel Oliveira has battled injuries throughout the season, paints Miller as Yamaha’s most reliable option outside of Quartararo.

Team Chemistry and Off-Track Contributions Matter

It’s not just Miller’s on-track form that’s earning him praise. According to journalist Jordan Moreland, his relationship with Fabio Quartararo has also strengthened Yamaha’s overall garage dynamic:

“He has validated and helped Quartararo. He has gelled well with Miller. They seem to get on. Pramac are not a satellite team like in the past—they are engrained in the factory.”

Having a teammate that complements and supports the factory’s lead rider is crucial, especially in a high-pressure, development-heavy environment like Yamaha’s current rebuild phase.

Toprak’s Fit at Pramac: A Logical Entry Point

If Toprak Razgatlioglu is coming to MotoGP, Pramac is a smart starting point. The team runs full-factory bikes, receives the same level of engineering support, and provides a lower-pressure introduction to MotoGP compared to being immediately paired with a title-contending teammate like Quartararo.

Moreover, Pramac allows Toprak to retain his Red Bull sponsorship, avoiding a direct clash with Monster Energy, Yamaha’s factory team sponsor. This is more than a marketing detail—it could have been the final piece needed to green-light his transition.

Still, that doesn’t answer the burning question: who makes way for Toprak?

Oliveira vs Miller: Who’s More Likely to Stay?

On paper, Miller looks more secure, even though his contract expires at the end of 2025. While Oliveira is contracted through 2026, his injury-riddled debut season on the Yamaha has been underwhelming. Yet, contracts in MotoGP can be bought out or terminated by mutual consent, especially when factory plans change.

That said, some believe Miller may not be pushed out—but pulled away by other manufacturers.

“There is also a factory Aprilia seat potentially available for next year. This might not be Jack being pushed. There might be other teams trying to pull Jack out of Yamaha,” McLaren added.

This scenario would allow Toprak to slot in without Pramac needing to make a harsh internal cut, though Yamaha would need to act fast to avoid losing Miller to a rival.

Aprilia or KTM: Who Could Tempt Miller Away?

If Yamaha can’t offer a long-term vision to Miller, and if Toprak’s arrival is non-negotiable, teams like Aprilia or KTM may swoop in. Both brands are believed to be exploring major lineup changes for 2026 and beyond. Aprilia, in particular, may be open to adding a gritty veteran like Miller, especially if they part ways with Maverick Viñales or Aleix Espargaró retires.

Miller’s history with KTM, combined with his fan-favorite status and marketability, could also spark a reunion if their current rider shuffle leaves a vacancy.

Does Toprak Deserve a MotoGP Seat Immediately?

While Razgatlioglu’s WSBK credentials are beyond dispute, some voices remain skeptical about how quickly he can adapt to MotoGP machinery. As Jordan Moreland notes:

“Toprak is a fantastic Superbikes rider, but this is MotoGP—it’s different to deliver at that level straight away.”

MotoGP’s Michelin tires, advanced aerodynamics, and different electronics package make for a steep learning curve—even for riders of Toprak’s caliber.

Moreland continued:

“If Toprak comes to MotoGP, it’s a good place to be [at Pramac], because it’s not the bright lights of the factory, and your teammate isn’t Quartararo!”

What Should Yamaha and Pramac Do?

Yamaha and Pramac are at a crossroads. On one hand, Toprak Razgatlioglu could bring a new wave of excitement, marketing potential, and on-track brilliance to the team. On the other, Jack Miller is proving to be a reliable, fast, and team-friendly veteran in his first year on an M1.

Many believe the logical path is to retain Miller and let Oliveira go, regardless of contract status. But unless Yamaha finds a creative solution—such as expanding to three riders or negotiating a swap—someone will have to step aside.

The Bigger Picture: Yamaha’s MotoGP Rebuild

This entire debate underscores Yamaha’s desperate need to rebuild around Quartararo and surround him with the right teammates. With Honda in disarray and Ducati still dominant, Yamaha must avoid losing ground during the Toprak transition.

Jack Miller could be the perfect glue guy—a rider who understands development, connects well with engineers, and performs consistently.

Losing him now would be a risk—especially if Toprak takes time to adapt.

Conclusion: Jack Miller Deserves to Stay—But Can Yamaha Make It Work?

As we head into the latter stages of the 2025 MotoGP season, the Jack Miller vs Toprak Razgatlioglu situation will only intensify. Every race Miller performs well in adds pressure on Yamaha to reconsider their plan. Every media whisper linking Toprak to Pramac adds urgency to the decision.

Ultimately, this might not be about pushing Miller out—but about ensuring Yamaha doesn’t lose him while bringing in Toprak. Because if Toprak falters and Miller is already gone, Yamaha may have let go of their most dependable link to future success.

As Jordan Moreland put it:

“I can’t see how Yamaha would let him go.”

Only time will tell if they agree.