After 15 full seasons in grand prix racing, Jack Miller has finally said goodbye to MotoGP. The Australian rider is confirmed to join the factory Yamaha team in World Superbike (WorldSBK) next season, replacing Xavi Vierge on a two-year deal.
This move closes a long chapter for Miller in the premier class, where he has spent 12 seasons since moving up straight from Moto3. During his MotoGP career, the 31-year-old has collected four wins and 23 podiums, racing for factory teams from Honda, Ducati, KTM, and now Yamaha.
This season has been tough for Miller. Yamaha's new V4 engine has proven largely uncompetitive, often leaving him out of the fight at the front. However, he has still managed some solid weekends—especially after it became clear that his seat at satellite team Pramac would be taken by Moto2 standout Izan Guevara.
Why Yamaha Chose Miller
Yamaha's decision to sign Miller was not always obvious. Early in the season, there seemed to be no clear fit—especially if Miller wanted to stay within the Yamaha family. Yamaha had already filled three of its four factory-contracted seats for 2027, and Vierge, though only on a one-year deal, looked to be doing enough to earn a renewal.
Even Yamaha WorldSBK boss Andrea Dosoli indicated back in April that Vierge was on track for a new contract. But despite Vierge's consistent form, Yamaha clearly saw Miller as an upgrade. For Yamaha, Miller represents a significant boost in experience and speed.
On the other side, Vierge is expected to land on his feet. He told WorldSBK.com at Magny-Cours that he was certain of remaining on the grid, and he is the apparent favourite for a seat at privateer Ducati team Barni. Interestingly, Barni is far more competitive than Yamaha right now—they outscore the factory Yamaha team by 168 points and have scored 14 podiums, while no Yamaha rider has finished on the podium this year.
However, there is hope for Miller. WorldSBK will switch to Michelin tyres in 2027 and introduce a MotoGP-style concession system in 2028, which could help rebalance the field and give Yamaha a chance to close the gap.
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Jack Miller officially leaves MotoGP to join Yamaha's WorldSBK team for 2025-2026. The move follows his exit from Pramac and signals a growing trend of riders switching to production-based racing.
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