Ducati factory rider Jack Miller responds to questions about his future in MotoGP ahead of season opener – Australian feels well prepared for 2022
Jack Miller is about to start his eighth season in MotoGP. It will be Miller’s second season as a Ducati factory rider. With a view to the many talents in the Ducati customer teams, the air could be thin for Miller, as the Australian’s contract expires at the end of the season and Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini are knocking on the factory team’s door. Miller followed up the questions about the open future with crisp answers before the start of the season in Qatar.
“My situation is like always at this point of the year. At this time every journalist in the world always starts writing bullshit about it, about me and how I’m losing my job and that I can be written off,” Miller said.
“It’s just the same as it always is. I can’t do anything about it and I have no control over it. All I can do is deliver the best possible response on the track to keep my job,” explains the Australian, who is puzzled by the questions, “It’s the same bullshit I have to deal with every year. I don’t understand why it’s like that for me and not for others. I accept it and just move on. “
Better prepared than when MotoGP season starts in 2021?
Psychologically, Miller says he is well prepared. “I feel good. We are well prepared. I have a good feeling and I feel balanced,” the Ducati rider described. “Last year I was more nervous. Now I look at it as just another weekend. This attitude helps to focus on the important things and get the job done. “
Unlike previous years, there was no test in Qatar this time. “Last year we had five days of testing here and two race weekends. At the second race we had the closest top-15 result in history. That was no coincidence, I suspect. At the same time, I don’t expect that to be repeated this year,” Miller comments.
Miller wants to tune out world political events in Qatar. “I will definitely ride, even though it was not my best race weekend last year. I have to avoid making the same decisions as last year,” he explains.
State of Ukraine shakes Jack Miller
“That said, it’s upsetting to hear what’s happening there,” he comments on the crisis in Ukraine. “These are difficult times and this makes them even more difficult. The world we live in today is not an easy world. My thoughts are with those affected in Ukraine and Russia. I hope we will have peace again soon.”
Miller did not attract attention with best times in the winter tests this year. “We are in pretty good shape. Testing and racing are always two completely different things. I’m definitely looking forward to racing again,” he explains, adding, “The third day of testing in Mandalika was maybe not necessary. “
