Confirmed: Miller to Ducati Team in 2021

The deal will make Miller the first Australian with a factory ride in MotoGP since Casey Stoner in 2012 and the third Aussie – after Stoner and Troy Bayliss – to ride for the Ducati Team in MotoGP. Stepping up from the satellite Pramac Racing Team he joined in 2018, Miller’s initial contract is for the 2021 season, with an option for 2022.

"First of all, I want to thank warmly Paolo Campinoti, Francesco Guidotti and all the Pramac Racing Team for the great support I have received from them in the two and a half years spent together,” Miller said.

“It is an honour for me to be able to continue my MotoGP career with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and I would like to thank all the Ducati management, Claudio, Gigi, Paolo and Davide, for having trusted me and given me this incredible opportunity.

“I look forward to starting riding again this year, and I am ready to fully commit to the responsibility of being an official Ducati rider in 2021."

Since his debut in the MotoGP class in 2015, Miller has secured one race win with Honda, but his best year in the championship to date has been 2019 on a satellite Ducati Desmosedici for the Pramac Racing Team, scoring five podiums and his best championship placing to date.

"Since he arrived in the Pramac Racing Team, Jack has grown steadily, proving himself one of the fastest and most talented riders in the championship. So we are happy that he has agreed to ride the official Desmosedici GP bike of the Ducati Team next year,” said Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali.

“We are convinced that Jack has all the right skills to fight continuously for the positions that matter, in every race, starting already this season with the Desmosedici GP20 of the Pramac Racing Team, and taking a further step forward next year thanks to the support of the Ducati Team."

Who Miller will replace in the factory Ducati squad – Andrea Dovizioso or Danilo Petrucci – has yet to be revealed, but Petrucci seems more likely to be released.

With COVID-19 restrictions on travel and public gatherings, MotoGP has yet to race in 2020 and Miller is currently back in Australia. No firm dates have been set for a resumption of competition, with two consecutive race weekends at Jerez in July proposed but not confirmed, and Brno (7-9 August) the first date in the 2020 calendar not to be cancelled or postponed at time of writing.