Aussie MotoGP star Jack Miller has admitted he's "on job seeker" following confirmation he would lose his seat at the factory KTM squad for 2025.
In one of the biggest form slumps of his career, Miller's pending exit from the team had been a poorly-kept secret in the MotoGP paddock for weeks.
He will be replaced by young Spaniard Pedro Acosta, who has set the sport on fire in his first six races for the KTM-owned Tech3 GasGas outfit – effectively their B-team.
READ MORE: 'What a day': SVG rips massive skid after NASCAR win
READ MORE: 'Not true': Olympian shoots down Athletics Australia claim
READ MORE: Why Smith turned down Broncos, Wayne, and a childhood dream
Acosta – who only turned 20 last week – sits sixth in the standings with two podiums. He is sitting higher than both factory KTM riders.
Miller has crashed out of the past three grands prix, and languishes in 15th on the standings.
Confirmation of Miller's departure came after he qualified a lowly 19th for Sunday night's (AEST) Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. Acosta will start seventh.
Miller finished 12th in Saturday nights' sprint race, and was later asked if Acosta's confirmation gave any more clarity to his own future.
"Not really … I'm on job seeker at the moment, looking for a new job," he said.
"Obviously a clear decision from (KTM) – (Acosta) is doing a fantastic job, as he has done all year.
"He's an amazing rookie and, as we all know, one of those generational talents. So for them to do that is a logical step.
"I'm not keen on signing any pieces of paper with the results I've had so far [in 2024]. Don't get me wrong, there's not a massive list of people lining up trying to give me one, but we'll have a spot, I'm not too stressed.
"I'm not keen on signing right at this moment, I'd rather have some better results to try and help myself a little bit more, but he's (Acosta) a logical choice."
Miller is midway through the second of a two-year deal with KTM, and has few options for next season. Joining Tech3 GasGas in what would be a straight swap with Acosta appears the most likely.
KTM supplies the Tech3 team with the same RC16 bikes the factory squad runs. In return, the team runs under KTM's sister brand GasGas.
Before the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Miller said he was open to the idea, and said the team was barely the satellite team it started its life as.
"It's basically a factory (KTM) bike that's red," he said.
"I didn't sign up to this job to see it out after two years and not reap the benefits. These projects take time. That's why you have these highs and lows, because you're building something good.
"My focus has never gone away from that. My understanding of the bike and trying to improve the bike has never gone away from that. My work outside of the track has never faded … I'm working harder now than I ever f—ing have.
"I love the guys at KTM and I think they've done a fantastic job in a short amount of time.
"I think we have four fantastic riders. If they need to reshuffle, then they reshuffle and we keep going."
The Italian Grand Prix begins at 10pm AEST.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.