Why Yamaha’s Decision to Keep Jack Miller Matters for Rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu

The next chapter in MotoGP is set to be one of the most intriguing in years, and Pramac Yamaha is right in the middle of it. The team is not only preparing for the highly anticipated debut of Toprak Razgatlioglu in the premier class but also for a technical revolution with Yamaha’s long-rumored switch from its traditional inline-four engine to a V4 configuration. To navigate both challenges, team boss Gino Borsoi is putting his faith in a proven hand — Australian rider Jack Miller — and believes Miller will be key to accelerating Razgatlioglu’s progress in his rookie season.

A Season of Transition: V4 Era and a Superbike Star’s Debut

The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most significant in Yamaha’s MotoGP history. For decades, Yamaha has been synonymous with the smooth, high-revving inline-four engine philosophy. But with its competitiveness waning against the power-packed V4 machines from Ducati, KTM, Honda, and Aprilia, a seismic shift is underway. By next season, Yamaha is expected to introduce its first MotoGP V4 engine, a move aimed at closing the gap to the current benchmark bikes.

At the same time, the team is preparing to welcome Toprak Razgatlioglu, a double World Superbike Champion and one of the most dynamic talents in modern motorcycle racing. Known for his spectacular braking style and fearless overtakes, Razgatlioglu’s transition from production-based Superbikes to prototype MotoGP machinery is highly anticipated but also complex. Riding a MotoGP bike is a completely different challenge — lighter, faster, with entirely different tires, electronics, and race dynamics.

Jack Miller: The Bridge Between Worlds

Enter Jack Miller, a veteran with years of experience riding multiple MotoGP machines and, crucially, multiple V4 platforms. Miller has spent his career learning and racing on Honda, Ducati, and KTM machinery — all powered by V4 engines. His knowledge of how these bikes behave, how they respond to setup changes, and how to exploit their strengths could be invaluable to both Yamaha’s engineers and his new teammate.

Speaking during the Catalan Grand Prix weekend, Gino Borsoi explained exactly why Miller was retained for 2026 over Miguel Oliveira, despite both riders being talented and experienced.

“He has experience,” Borsoi told the MotoGP world feed. “He knows how Ducati works, how KTM works, both bikes with V engines. And also he needs to help Toprak be fit in a really short time because we have another challenge on the other side of the garage where Toprak needs to understand tyres, needs to understand our work, differences compared to other bikes. So, a rider with the experience of Jack can help this guy to grow in a really short time and be ready as soon as possible. I’m expecting Toprak to be in a good position from the middle of the season.”

This insight underlines Yamaha’s strategic approach. The team isn’t just thinking about building a fast bike — they’re focused on integrating a new rider, developing a competitive package, and hitting the ground running in what promises to be one of the most competitive MotoGP seasons in years.

The Tough Call: Replacing Miguel Oliveira

One of the biggest surprises leading up to the Catalan GP was Yamaha’s announcement that Miguel Oliveira would not continue with the Pramac Yamaha project in 2026, despite having signed a two-year deal. Oliveira had joined with expectations of helping Yamaha rebuild its satellite strength, bringing valuable experience from KTM and Aprilia, as well as a reputation for being a smart and adaptive rider.

Oliveira later revealed that the second year of his contract contained a performance clause, and he felt he hadn’t had a fair shot at meeting its conditions due to injuries and the current bike’s limitations. The Portuguese rider expressed surprise at being dropped, noting that he believed his results didn’t reflect his true capability.

Borsoi admitted that it was not an easy decision.

“Honestly, speaking, as you can imagine it was a really tough and difficult decision from our side,” Borsoi said. “For that reason, it took a lot of time. They have a great value, both of them. They are fast and they have a lot of experience of different factories, different bikes. Both of them rode with the V4 engine in the past. Both of them more or less have the same value. But at the end of the day, you have to take a decision. We decided to go with Miller and we’re happy for that. I’m sad for Miguel because he’s a great guy, a good rider, and he has a lot of experience and is a good rider who could help us to improve the performance of the bike. But on the other side we have Jack with more speed and is in a bit of a better situation in terms of the championship. So, it was difficult and tough.”

This frank explanation highlights the brutal realities of MotoGP’s competitive environment. Teams are constantly balancing potential, current performance, and strategic fit. In this case, Miller’s familiarity with V4 machinery and slightly stronger form in the standings tipped the scales.

The Road Ahead: Pressure, Promise, and Opportunity

With its rider lineup now set, Pramac Yamaha faces a season full of variables. The technical challenge of developing a brand-new V4 powerplant is enormous. Yamaha’s MotoGP engineers will be learning in real-time, gathering data, and responding to a steep development curve that Ducati and KTM have already climbed over several seasons. In this context, having riders who can provide clear, experienced feedback is vital.

Miller will be expected to lead the technical charge, giving Yamaha’s engineers the comparative perspective they need to close the gap. Meanwhile, Razgatlioglu will be learning the craft of MotoGP racing itself — finding the limit on Michelin tires, understanding fuel consumption strategies, and adjusting to the punishing intensity of prototype racing weekends.

Borsoi’s target of seeing Toprak in a “good position” by mid-season is ambitious but not unrealistic. The Turkish rider’s raw talent, combined with his famous ability to adapt and his deep racing instincts, could see him progress rapidly once the fundamentals click. Fans who have followed his Superbike career know he thrives under pressure and often finds performance leaps in short spans.

A Defining Year for Yamaha

The 2026 MotoGP season will be more than just another year on the calendar for Yamaha. It represents a philosophical shift, a technical gamble, and a generational rider handoff all at once. The decisions made now — from rider selection to technical architecture — will define the team’s competitiveness for years to come.

If it succeeds, Yamaha could reestablish itself as a front-running force, no longer seen as a step behind Ducati or KTM. If it stumbles, the rebuild could take longer, testing the patience of its riders and fans alike. Either way, the combination of Jack Miller’s experience, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s raw brilliance, and the allure of a brand-new V4-powered Yamaha will make 2026 a season to watch.

Conclusion: Confidence in the Balance

As the MotoGP paddock looks toward the next big leap, Pramac Yamaha has chosen a path of calculated risk. In Miller, they have a proven racer who can guide both the technical project and his rookie teammate. In Razgatlioglu, they have one of the most gifted riders of his generation, capable of turning raw potential into podiums. The challenge is monumental, but so is the opportunity. As Borsoi put it plainly, the goal is clear: by mid-season, Toprak should be fighting near the front. How Yamaha gets there — and how quickly — may just be one of the defining stories of MotoGP’s next era.