Jack Miller says racing the current factory-spec Ducati MotoGP bike is like “bringing a gun to a gun fight”, having previously raced the year-old Desmosedici.
The 2016 Dutch TT winner raced the GP17 in his first year in Pramac colours last year, but is now enjoying machine parity with factory riders Andrea Dovizioso and former Pramac team-mate Danilo Petrucci.
His GP19 didn't go to plan, as a broken seat unit on lap two meant he dropped back through the pack, and was eventually forced to retire.
But Miller secured fourth in last Sunday's Argentine Grand Prix, making him second-best Ducati runner behind third-placed Dovizioso and marking his best results since last year's French Grand Prix.
Writing in his column for redbull.com, Miller explained the “speed is easier to come by” on the GP19, and he doesn't feel like he is riding on the “ragged edge” any more.
“I'm really enjoying riding this GP19 Ducati,” he began.
“I never raced the '18 bike last year, and this bike is a big step [from the GP17]. I said to someone that I feel like I'm bringing a gun to a gun fight now, and that's the best way of explaining it.
“The speed is easier to come by and you don't feel you're riding it right on the ragged edge every corner just to get a laptime out of it.
“That's why Qatar was frustrating; with the way Dovi [who won in Qatar] rode that race and controlled the pace, I reckon I could have stayed with the front group and been in a position to do something in the last few laps [if the seat hadn't broken off].
“In the first few laps on this bike when I notice it, you're not constantly over-braking and cooking the front tyre just to stay with those guys, and not trying to make up for not being able to stay with them on the straights.
“I can manage the tyres better because the speed of the bike is there – that's probably the biggest factor.”
Miller admits missing the podium in Argentina by just 1.6 seconds was “frustrating”, but feels it's only a “matter of time” before he makes that step.
“To have it go to plan is nice, and you want to get the monkey off your back and get off zero points,” he added.
“There's nothing worse than leaving the first race with zero next to your name. To get so close to the podium – I was only 1.6s behind Dovi – is a bit frustrating is some ways.
“But we're right there, it's just a matter of time if we keep working the way we are, I think.”
