Jack Miller has revealed that KTM told him “don’t talk to anybody” about a 2025 MotoGP move “because we want to keep you” before telling him he would be dropped.
Pedro Acosta’s starring rookie term earned him a promotion to the factory team in 2025 next to Brad Binder, putting Miller’s position within KTM in a precarious place.
Rumours circulated that the Australian would be demoted to the satellite Tech3 GasGas outfit, and before the Dutch Grand Prix, he was told KTM wanted to retain him.
“I was surprised, because last I heard was ‘don’t bother talking to anybody because we want to keep you in the family’ and then you get a phone call three hours before the press release gets launched saying that you’re not getting a contract,” Miller told the media prior to the Assen weekend.
“So, yeah, I was surprised. To say the least. But it is what it is. But as I said to them, I didn’t come to this project to be in and out in two years.
“I left probably the most competitive bike on the grid to come over here and try and bring my knowledge.
“And I feel like last year, what we were able to bring already to improve the bike to a certain level was a big addition.”
Miller has endured a challenging campaign to date with 27 points from the opening seven rounds this season seeing him languish down in 16th spot in the standings.
KTM has decided that a revised line-up for 2025 was the right choice, with the Austrian outfit obtaining Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini on multi-term contracts.
Miller has divulged that he has options elsewhere, with reports linking him to Gresini Ducati, Honda and even Pramac should an engine deal with Yamaha materialise.
“At the moment, it’s all been talk,” he said. “So, it’s about weighing up what I want, what the project has to offer in terms of obviously going to a Ducati is very, very interesting because I know the bike very well, I know the structure very well.
“I have no doubts I can get back on that bike and be inside the top five almost instantly. But a lot of things are changing in MotoGP come ’27, and working on a project and looking for a long-term home to finish out my last strong years in MotoGP and working towards a common goal – which I thought we had, but we didn’t.
“So, that’s one of those things we need to weigh up. I have money in my account, I’m very fortunate. So it’s not about that. It’s what I want for my career.”
Regarding a potential test rider role in MotoGP, Miller retorted: “For the moment, I can’t even put myself in that realm because I don’t think of myself as a test rider.
“I enjoy this too much, I enjoy racing. I don’t enjoy the testing side of it, I do it because I enjoy the work because you are working towards a goal.
“But in terms of just going round and round in circles on a motorcycle doesn’t excite me.
“Going out there and competing with 22 other bikes is what I’m here for. Who knows for the future, but all I want to do is race.”
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