The news that had been floating around for days has finally become reality. Jack Miller will leave MotoGP at the end of this season and embark on a new adventure in WorldSBK. The Australian rider has signed a two-year contract with the Pata Maxus Yamaha team, securing his seat alongside Andrea Locatelli from 2027.
This decision marks a new chapter for Jack Miller, who had previously hinted at stepping away from grand prix racing. Despite that, he remains within the Yamaha family, a manufacturer he has grown close to over the past few seasons in the premier class. In his statement, Miller expressed his excitement about taking on a new challenge with the R1, especially after getting a taste of the bike in the Suzuka endurance race.
“I’m really excited to announce that I will be joining WorldSBK with Yamaha. I’ve really enjoyed working with this manufacturer over the last few years in MotoGP and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to see what we can do with the R1,” Miller said. “Over the last two years I’ve tested the bike a little bit at Suzuka and, although the WorldSBK-spec bike is a bit different, I’m really looking forward to starting this next chapter of my career and hope to do well.”
Full support came from Niccolo Canepa, Yamaha Motor Europe’s Road Racing Sporting Manager. He believes Miller’s arrival will be a massive boost for Yamaha’s WorldSBK project, both technically and commercially. “We are very excited to welcome Jack Miller to the Yamaha WorldSBK project in 2027 and, personally, I am very happy that he is joining our team,” Canepa said. “The opportunity to bring a rider with his experience and talent into our factory team was too good to let slip by, and we can’t wait for the first tests. His MotoGP experience and his knowledge of Michelin tyres will be very important for us. He has already achieved great results with the R1 at Suzuka, and we are excited to see what he can do in WorldSBK and what he can bring to the development of the R1.”
Canepa also highlighted the positive impact of Miller’s personality. “Beyond the technical side, Jack’s personality and his international profile will be of great value in strengthening Yamaha’s presence and bringing even more attention to WorldSBK. We are really looking forward to starting this new chapter together,” he added.
However, every good news story has its flip side. Miller’s arrival automatically closes the door for Xavi Vierge at the team. The Spanish rider will have spent just one season after being recruited in 2026 to replace the retired Jonathan Rea. Vierge’s tenure with Yamaha was short and unconvincing, prompting the team management to decide not to renew his contract.
Thus, the Pata Maxus Yamaha team’s line-up for the 2027 season is confirmed to feature Andrea Locatelli and Jack Miller. This duo is expected to push Yamaha towards the sharp end of the grid, leveraging Miller’s grand prix experience and Locatelli’s consistency in WorldSBK. The big question now is: will Miller be immediately competitive on the R1?
Looking at his track record, Miller is no stranger to production bikes. His success at the Suzuka 8 Hours is proof that he can adapt quickly. Moreover, Yamaha is serious about developing the R1 to return to winning ways. The combination of a race-hungry rider and a manufacturer rebuilding its strength is certainly one of the most anticipated stories in the WorldSBK paddock.
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