Miller “disappointed for everybody” after frustrating two-year stint at KTM

Jack Miller says he is “disappointed” for himself and KTM after ending a frustrating tenure with the Austrian manufacturer last month.

Having previously been a race winner with both Honda and Ducati, Miller joined KTM in 2023 with a long-term view at building its MotoGP programme.

Although he tasted some early podium success in both sprint races and grands prix, the Australian was never quite a match to his team-mate and KTM protege Brad Binder.

Things went further south in 2024 as he struggled to even finish inside the top 10 on a regular basis, largely due to issues with chattering and Michelin’s new front tyre, prompting KTM not to offer him a new contract.

Although he was initially unhappy with how the situation was handled, having previously been assured he would keep his seat, he has now provided a different overview of his time at KTM.

“I’m disappointed – disappointed for everybody,” he said. “It’s not what we wanted from all parties. As you said I came in here with 25 podiums, was on the podium and fighting for the championship in the last year (2022) in Ducati. 

“It hasn’t been what I imagined or envisioned. Even at the beginning of this season I put in the hardest off-season I ever put in and I didn’t get the results I wanted. 

“I tried my best from the first laps in Valencia [test] when I tried the bike to the last laps [in Barcelona finale]. I take pride in that fact, and that’s it.”

Miller ended the 2024 season in 14th place in the riders’ standings, while KTM stablemates Binder and Pedro Acosta finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Achieving a best result of fifth on two occasions, he scored 87 points, down from 163 he managed in 2023 when KTM was in a relatively stronger position compared to the dominant Ducati.

Asked to mention some races where he felt competitive on the RC16, he said: “I think Valencia last year – leading the last race was a nice feeling and fighting for the podium; sprint podium at the Sachsenring; podium and sprint podium in Jerez. 

“But definitely this year with the new tyre we seem to have struggled to adapt to that. Obviously being on the same chassis as we were in Misano last year doesn’t help.”

Miller feels his impressive run from 15th to fifth in the Thai Grand Prix in October showed his fighting spirit, insisting he never gave up in the face of adversity.

“Obviously the precious one is the fifth place in Buriram. It was nice to be back fighting for the podium again,” he said. 

“Okay, it was wet conditions, but we showed true grit and that describes these last two years. I never f***ing gave up one moment. Even when I was landing on my head every second weekend, I was trying my best. 

“At the end that’s what I’m here to do, give my all every time I get on the track. I’m a racer and I want to be competitive, and unfortunately I haven’t exceeded my expectations, I haven’t met my expectations in the last few years, so I’m disappointed in that.”

Following the news of his departure from KTM, there came a point when Miller conceded that his chances of staying on the MotoGP grid in 2025 were next to none.

However, he was eventually able to secure a factory contract with Yamaha to race for its new satellite team Pramac next year.

The Australian had previously spent three seasons with Pramac from 2018-20 when it was part of Ducati’s satellite structure.