In-form Jack Miller rewarded with Ducati deal extension for 2022 MotoGP

Jack Miller heads to his first Italian MotoGP at Mugello since becoming a factory Ducati Corse rider safe in the knowledge he will remain with the team through to the end of the 2022 MotoGP season.

The deal will be viewed as a response to Miller’s strong turn of form in recent races, culminating in victories at Jerez (Spanish MotoGP) and Le Mans (French MotoGP), not least because it comes in the direct run up to Ducati’s beloved home event.

Miller’s extension comes after he was promoted to the factory line-up for 2021 having spent three years on the satellite Pramac Ducati. Though he was a race winner prior to 2021, his success in Jerez marked only second career success, five years after his first on the Marc VDS Honda at Assen.

Though he is the first Ducati rider to have a sealed deal for 2021, Miller - even in the wake of his two wins - is still only the third best placed rider from the manufacturer. Nonetheless, factory team-mate Pecco Bagnaia and Pramac’s Johann Zarco ahead of him are likely to retain their seats too.

“I am thrilled to be able to continue my adventure with the Ducati Lenovo Team also next season! Wearing these colours is a great honour for me, and having been able to win the last two races on the Desmosedici GP is a real dream! 

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the great support that I’ve received from Ducati and the whole team during the last months, and I want to thank Gigi, Paolo, Davide, and Claudio for the faith they had in me. 

“Now I can solely concentrate on the current season. We are fourth in the standings, not far from the leader, and the Championship is still very long. I will do my best to continue this positive trend and fight for the title. Forza Ducati!”

Ducati vote of confidence just the boost Jack Miller needs

There is no shortage of confidence in Miller’s armoury but he is often harder on himself than anyone, so one can assume his demeanour in the of three disastrous races 9-8-DNF to mark the start of life as a factory man.

However, he looked calmer, composed and focused at Jerez, so while the win was fortuitous to an extent after Fabio Quartararo was struck with the dreaded arm pump, his controlled run to victory next time out in the wet at Le Mans confirmed a rider that was finally stringing hsi game together.

As any ex-Ducati rider will say though, team bosses have a significant role to play in keeping its team motivated (with mixed results) so this deal, coming before Bagnaia despite him being just one point off the overall lead, speaks volumes as to who it perceives as the #1 rider.

With his head held high, Miller now heads to Mugello with an excellent shot at making it three in a row on the strength of Ducati’s superior straight line performance alone. 

Ducati will be hoping a post-win contract renewal doesn’t see Miller ‘do a Danilo’ and watch his form plunge off a cliff for the remainder of the year.