Pramac's Jack Miller says it was “hard to believe” the Ducati GP19 was only “two years more advanced” than his current GP17, as the new bike does “everything” better.
Miller will remain in Pramac colours for the '19 campaign, but will ride a factory-supported GP19 alongside works riders Andrea Dovizioso and former teammate Danilo Petrucci.
While not the complete GP19, a '19 prototype was available for all three works riders and test rider Michele Pirro on Tuesday and Wednesday at Valencia, with Miller ending the test fourth overall and just 0.182s off the pace.
Speaking on Tuesday after a technical issues with his GP19 halted his day early, Miller gushed over the new bike, and explained where it had improved over the GP17 he rode this season.
“There's not many things on the bike that feel similar. It's hard to believe it's almost only two years more advanced than my bike, but the amount of changes are crazy,” he enthused.
“Everything [is better]. Turning, braking, stopping, accelerating. It's smooth. You know, we haven't even adjusted the settings, it's my first time on the carbon forks.
“So just trying to get used to everything, it's a big thing to take in. But really happy with the way it's unfolding at the moment.
“I was trying to run the medium tyre just to start there, but it wasn't working so we put the soft in, and that was when we got the technical issue.
“But even with the technical issue I was able to improve my laptime, I was going relatively easy, so I'm excited to see what happens when we start to push.”
Miller highlighted improvements made with the gearbox, calling it “smooth”, while admitting his aggressive shifting style suits the new transmission as this is what is required.
“The way the gearbox works, it's very smooth, it puts the weight to the tyre nice and gentle.
“It's very linear, the power is very linear out of the corner. So it's very easy to control and you don't upset it too much.
“I didn't have a drama. I'm always very aggressive. The thing is with the new gearbox you just have to be aggressive, and I'm always very hard, aggressive on the lever.”
Commenting on the GP19's cornering, Miller says the new bike is “very light” on fast direction changes, and said this meant he was almost turning onto the white lines in the damp early part of Tuesday's session.
“It feels easier, it's very light, especially on the fast change of direction,” he added.
“Was at Turns 8, 9, 10, 11, through there it really picked the line and I felt myself especially this morning, even though there was some wet patches out there – I was trying to stay well away from the white lines – I found myself almost turning into the white lines on the inside because of how well it was turning.”
