Jack Miller, the Australian MotoGP rider, is no stranger to controversy. Known for his aggressive racing style and outspoken personality, Miller has often found himself at the center of attention, both for his spectacular performances and his struggles on track. After another disappointing performance at the 2025 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Miller once again pointed the finger at his KTM RC16, citing issues like lack of grip, inconsistent power delivery, and setup problems. However, this raises an important question: is the KTM really to blame, or is Miller simply failing to deliver the results expected from a top-tier rider?
Miller’s journey to MotoGP has been far from typical. Instead of progressing through the traditional ranks, he made the leap directly from Moto3 to MotoGP in 2015, skipping Moto2 altogether. His fearless and aggressive riding style caught the attention of Honda, who placed him on the LCR Honda satellite team. Despite a rough start in 2015, where he struggled with the difficult-to-handle Honda RC213V-RS, Miller shocked the MotoGP world in 2016 with a brilliant wet-weather victory at Assen.
However, this victory was more of an anomaly than the start of a consistent run of podiums. Over the next few seasons, Miller remained a mid-pack rider, often showing flashes of brilliance but rarely being able to challenge for podiums on a regular basis. Despite his talent, Miller’s performances rarely matched the high expectations that came with his potential.
In 2018, Miller joined the Pramac Racing team, Ducati’s satellite team, where his performances began to improve. From 2019 to 2020, he regularly fought for podiums, proving he could run with the top riders. In 2021, Miller was promoted to the Ducati Factory Team alongside Francesco Bagnaia, with many expecting him to challenge for a title. Despite winning two races that season, Miller’s inconsistency meant he was never truly a contender for the championship. By the end of 2022, Ducati opted to replace him with Enea Bastianini, signaling that they no longer believed Miller could lead their team to a title.
In 2023, Miller moved to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, hoping to reinvigorate his career. Early on, things seemed promising as he adapted quickly to the KTM RC16, scoring some top-five finishes. However, as the season progressed, it became clear that Miller was struggling compared to his teammate, Brad Binder. While Binder consistently outperformed him, Miller’s qualifying results were poor, and his race pace lacked the consistency needed to contend for podiums. By 2024, the KTM RC16 was a competitive bike, but Miller still wasn’t delivering the results expected from a factory rider. Fast forward to 2025, and the same story continues.
Given Miller’s continued struggles, KTM is faced with a tough decision. The team wants to compete for championships, but right now, Miller doesn’t seem to be the rider who will take them there. If he doesn’t improve soon, KTM might consider replacing him with a rider who can deliver consistent results. Potential replacements could include Enea Bastianini, who was let go by Ducati but has proven race-winning ability, or Moto2’s rising star Fermin Aldeguer.
Jack Miller has been in MotoGP for a decade, yet he has never truly been a championship contender. While he undoubtedly has talent and the ability to win races, his consistency and mental approach have held him back. After yet another disappointing result in Thailand in 2025, Miller needs to stop blaming the bike and start looking at himself. If he doesn’t turn things around soon, KTM may decide it’s time to move on and find a rider who can deliver the results they need. Time is running out for Miller, and the pressure is on.
