This time, it's no longer a rumor. Jack Miller will leave MotoGP at the end of the 2026 season to officially join Pata Yamaha in WorldSBK in 2027 and 2028. At 32 years old next year, the Australian is thus opening the "new chapter" he recently mentioned, with a clearly stated ambition: not simply to prolong his career, but to once again become a contender for the top spots.
After twelve seasons in the top tier, Jack Miller will leave MotoGP. Yamaha has officially announced the Australian's arrival in its factory WorldSBK team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Miller will replace Xavi Vierge at Pata Yamaha and will thus continue his collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer after his time with Pramac in MotoGP.
A career change that had been anticipated for several weeks is now taking on a very concrete dimension: Miller isn't leaving Yamaha , he's changing championships and machines. " I'm delighted to announce my arrival in WorldSBK with Yamaha, which extends our partnership ," he explains. " I've really enjoyed working with the brand these past few months in MotoGP and I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity to see what we can achieve on the R1 ."
Jack Miller is already familiar with the Yamaha R1
The Australian won't be completely unfamiliar with his future machine. Miller has competed with Yamaha in the Suzuka 8 Hours for the past two seasons, finishing second each time. His speed on the R1 is believed to have played a significant role in Yamaha 's decision to entrust him with this WorldSBK program.
“ I’ve had a little taste of this bike at Suzuka these past two years and, even though the WorldSBK specification bike is a bit different, I’m really looking forward to starting this new chapter of my career .” With one ambition: “ I hope we can achieve something really impressive there .”
These words echo those recently spoken by Miller when questioned about his future. He had warned that a few more Grands Prix wouldn't change his career and that, if he were to join Superbike, it would be with a genuine sporting objective. " If I were to move to SBK, it would be to become the best rider possible ." We now know which team he will attempt to do so with.
From Moto3 directly to MotoGP, then WorldSBK
This transfer also marks the end of a unique career in the Grand Prix paddock. Runner-up in the Moto3 world championship behind Alex Marquez , Miller had made the extremely rare move of going directly from Moto3 to MotoGP in 2015, without spending a single season in Moto2.
He then established himself with Marc VDS Honda before winning three Grands Prix with the official Ducati team . His time at KTM allowed him to add a 23rd MotoGP podium to his record.
The Yamaha adventure has been more complicated. On the new M1 V4, Miller currently sits 17th in the championship, and his best Grand Prix result this season remains an eighth-place finish. Nevertheless, he remains one of Yamaha's most competitive riders and was notably the brand's best performer in the last two rounds at Silverstone and Aragon . This wasn't enough to secure his seat at Pramac for 2027, as Izan Guevara was chosen to succeed him.
Yamaha WSBK is gaining a wealth of experience, especially with Jack Miller.
For Yamaha , however, this recruitment goes beyond Miller 's recent results . The Australian has over a decade of MotoGP experience and has worked with Honda, Ducati, KTM , and then Yamaha . He also has Superbike racing experience, having participated in several Australian championship races with Ducati in 2021 and 2022.
This experience is invaluable for Yamaha's currently struggling WorldSBK program . The Japanese manufacturer is counting on Miller as much for his speed as for his ability to contribute to the development of the R1. And his arrival could be the first step in a much more dramatic move.
WorldSBK is preparing for a massive influx of MotoGP riders
Miller is the first whose transfer is now officially confirmed among several MotoGP riders announced to move to WorldSBK for 2027. Brad Binder is expected to join BMW, Franco Morbidelli Aruba.it Ducati and Alex Rins GoEleven Ducati.
If all these moves are confirmed, the 2027 WorldSBK grid will benefit from a considerable influx of experience and notoriety coming directly from MotoGP.
Miller could also retain some links with the Yamaha endurance program , notably at the Suzuka 8 Hours , while MotoGP testing activities remain a possibility.
But his priority is now clear. At 32, Jack Miller is no longer looking for a few more Grands Prix to pad his stats. He's going to WorldSBK to start building something new. And Yamaha is giving him two seasons to do just that.
