Let's talk MotoGP: Jack Miller is out of place, and that needs to change

New weekend, and new poor performance from Jack Miller. While he was the winner in 2021, the French Grand Prix did not succeed in the least. But ultimately, isn’t that its true place? What should and can he play this season? Analysis of a case much more complex than it appears. This article is the first of a dilogy, and will be followed by another to appear tomorrow, this time concerning Brad Binder.

I) Don't make a mistake

These two planned papers could have had the title: “What’s wrong with KTM”. We've been talking about it from the beginning: We must pay attention to Jack Miller's place within the Austrian team. Before returning to this specific point, let's take a look at its race.

In truth, everything is said. From the sidelines, it looked like the KTMs were superior on Friday, and Miller was particularly comfortable. His one-lap speed may be one of his weak points, but he remained one of the favorites to take pole position on Saturday morning. First failure. Fourth but relatively behind, he was never in a position to set the fastest lap in Q2. Either way, fourth position remains a good result, especially at Le Mans. Indeed, this is one of those circuits where going off track isn't that disadvantageous, as it generally avoids getting trapped in the Dunlop Chicane.

 

First fall during the Sprint, pushing excessively. Then, during the Grand Prix, again but not in the same way. Jack Miller got off to a good start, then fell back, again and again, until he fell again. This is more worrying, because in this way, he is not playing his real role, the one that should have been his since the start of the season. Explanations.

II) A false second pilot

Jack Miller is perhaps the best “second driver” on the grid. At Ducati, he largely contributed to the success of the brand by securing big points when Pecco could not. Last year, we looked at his profile when he left. Miller is a teammate who must help, and who can sometimes go for a podium.

But he gives the impression that by arriving at KTM, suddenly, he wants to transform himself into a rider capable of competing for a title, always in front until the fall. Since the start of the season, he has been riding as if he had something to prove, as if he couldn't just support Brad Binder.

We believed in it for a while, especially after the Portuguese Grand Prix where he surprised everyone. Did we have a new power duo, or two drivers capable of going for the crown? The American round then Jerez reminded us that Miller, Especially, was not of this ilk.

 

Since the start, he has been over-driving. He is on top of his game, and performs, when he crosses the line in the lead, at a level that is not his own. How does this translate? By falls, far too many for a man who should rather try to score as many points as possible. This year there is a real opportunity for KTM as we explained previously. A zero score over a weekend is not acceptable, just like his six falls (!) in Austin.

We saw him attempt much more ambitious maneuvers than his talent ever allowed, with attacks on corners "à la Álex Márquez", and believe us, that's not a compliment, the opposite of accuracy in overtaking. We'll give you an example below but this was recurring, particularly when approaching the Dunlop Chicane.

 

III) “Stay in your zone”


Brad Binder is the one who has to perform, the one who must try to get the pilot title. Jack Miller, for his part, is too irregular in his performance to aspire to the same objectives. This has been a recurring weak point since the start of his career. It would be stupid to ask him, in his ninth year in MotoGP, to finish all races on the podium.

So, we very humbly think that he needs to calm down. Please note that we are saying this only in their interest. Needless to say, a certain Peter Acosta is pushing hard, and still doesn't have a handlebar assigned for next year. Even if the Australian signed for two years, it would be stupid for him to leave before or even at the end of the deadline when he has great qualities that are poorly exploited!

On the other hand, if he calms down, stops wanting to play first place every time out and starts collecting points while his teammate Brad Binder plays for the win, then KTM will become dangerous in the teams ranking.

What do you think ? Is Jack Miller on the right track or do you find, like us, that he wastes cartridges?

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport