MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix J3: Intense fights for Jack Miller (Ducati/8)

It was a constant struggle that Jack Miller had to engage in, losing the front twice on the verge of disaster, but also being hit by Álex Rins who, in the shock, saw his wing fly away. right. The Australian then had to do battle with the two riders from the local Petronas Yamaha SRT team, and he could only finish eighth behind Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo with difficulty. Miller was one of only two drivers to have competed in this Grand Prix on two soft tires alongside the other Desmosedici of Andrea Dovizioso.

Miller's initial course was favorable during free practice, which he finished sixth (and second Ducati rider) with a time of 1'59.227, 0.651 behind the best time of fabio quartararo, and only 0.021 from the official Desmosedici ofAndrea Dovizioso.

During qualifying, Jack placed fourth on the second row with a time of 1'58.725, 0.422 from Fabio Quartararo's pole position, and 0.293 from the first row of which Franco Morbidelli occupied third place.

Video: Jack Miller before departure:

Jack Miller made a good start and completed the first lap in third position, behind Maverick Viñales and Marc Márquez, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi. Jack briefly passed second, before the reigning World Champion attacked him.

Video: Miller vs. Marquez:

On the fourth lap, the Australian had to give in to the other Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso (which we recall was the only one with his to have a soft Michelin at the front and at the rear). During the sixth pass, it was Valentino Rossi who overtook the Pramac driver and relegated him to fifth position.

On the ninth lap, around halfway, Jack was attacked and overtaken by Álex Rins and Franco Morbidelli.

Video: Percussion by Álex Rins:

Then Fabio Quartararo attacked him on the thirteenth lap. He managed to overtake him, then Johann Zarco pushed him back to ninth place on the next lap. Miller overtook Zarco, but had to give in under the attacks of Joan Mir three laps from the finish.

Video: Miller loses a part of his Ducati:

By the penultimate lap, Miller was ninth, but he finally gained a place when Joan Mir was penalized for causing Johann Zarco to fall. He finished eighth, 17.252 behind winner Maverick Viñales, about five seconds behind Fabio Quartararo and two and a half seconds ahead of Danilo Petrucci.

It was the thirteenth time that Miller finished in the top 10 this year in eighteen Grands Prix, which currently allows him to occupy a solid eighth place in the provisional World Championship standings, behind Valentino Rossi and ahead of his friend Cal Crutchlow.

Immediately after arrival Jack Miller declared: “Strange race today, especially when I knew we had the speed to get on the podium. On the 3rd or 4th lap I started fighting with the soft front tire and on the next lap it got worse. Between that and a lot of guys bumping into me for no particular reason, I felt like it wasn't our day. »

After this spontaneous reaction when getting off his Desmosedici, Miller later explained in detail that “The start was good. I was in front. I didn't put a lot of pressure, I wanted to control the pace and not overwork the tires. But from the 3rd or 4th lap, I had problems with the front tire, especially on the right side. Lap after lap it got worse. »

“I was almost unable to ride in a banked position in Turn 3 although it was not a critical corner. But Dovi had fitted the same tires and was able to finish on the podium with them. »

Johann Zarco touched the Australian, then Joan Mir: “Some people hit me for no apparent reason. I wanted to ride at my own pace and I was able to do it in 2'00 on several laps for a while. »

“On the laps where I had big gaps in lap times, another driver attacked me. Especially in the long corner before the back straight, some drivers attacked me on the inside on a wild line and hoped they could block me on the exit. It was a strange race overall. So in the end I have to be happy that I took these points home with me. I thought I had the pace to fight for the podium, but I had too many problems from the start. »

Grand Prix results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

 

Photos © Pramac Racing