Jack Miller, Pramac Racing's new spearhead on Yamaha in 2025, does not mince his words on the engine saga at the Japanese manufacturer. While the paddock is talking about a future V4 to equip the M1 like what we find on Ducati and others, the Australian is sticking to his guns: the inline four-cylinder, Yamaha's historic DNA, still has some juice.
« This engine won in 2020 and 2021 with Quartararo. To say it is finished is absurd " says the Australian on crash.net. For him, the potential is there, untapped: " we can still get more out of it. We should not close the door just because everyone follows the V4 herd like in Moto2 with Kalex »
Jack Miller, team driver Pramac Racing in Yamaha , thus shared his in-depth analysis on the engines Yamaha and the challenges the Japanese team faces in MotoGP. The outspoken Australian reiterated his belief that the inline-four, currently used by Yamaha , still has untapped potential, despite the ongoing development of a V4 engine to compete with other manufacturers.
The pilot highlighted the advantages of this configuration, particularly in center of gravity terms and fuel tank placement. After driving an inline-four, you understand the pros and cons. I think the center of gravity is something fantastique. Obviously, width is perhaps one of the biggest issues, but being able to placing the fuel tank and everything else much lower without having that cylinder underneath is a real plus »
Miller also stressed the need not to close the door to this technology. There are certainly different ways around the problems, and I still believe there's more to be gotten from an inline-four than what we're currently getting. There's no need to close the doors. If you say, “we need it,” that’s not the right way to work. I think Yamaha is approaching the situation in a positive way and trying to understand all the circumstances before making a decision. »
Jack Miller: “ At Yamaha, they have been working on this project for so long, they have a great knowledge of this engine, you don't have to follow like sheep »
L'expérience de Yamaha with the four-cylinder inline is another advantage according to Miller. " They have been working on this project for so long, they have a great knowledge of this engine. In racing, when everyone sees someone doing the same thing for two years in a row, everyone follows like sheep. It's the same with the Boscoscuro/Kalex situation in Moto2. That's what happens. »
Miller, who is making his debut at Yamaha in 2025, is convinced that the Japanese team has all the elements to succeed. They have all the pieces of the puzzle, they just need time to put them together.. We chase tenths, not seconds. They are so close yet so far. The hardest to find are the last tenths. »
The pilot also praised the work of Yamaha test team, which includes experienced figures such as Andrea Dovizioso et Augusto Fernandez. " They give it their all, with Augusto and Dovi too, and even Cal Crutchlow when his hand recovers. They have a fantastic team there to try to work, develop and bring us things. I would probably say they are one of the best testing teams in this area, in terms of wealth of knowledge with Dovi and also the youth and enthusiasm of Augusto. I feel like he feels like he has unfinished business here and this test pilot role is like his way back, so he's trying to give it his all.. »
Despite his status as a satellite driver at Pramac Racing, Miller feels fully integrated into the project Yamaha . " It's pretty much identical in terms of parts, in terms of test items, everything. " he explained, comparing his role to that of Fabio Quartararo et alex rins in the factory team. Before, Yamaha was, let's say, a company that was quite closed with what they did in terms of factory riders and satellite riders. She has completely turned that page. It's a new beginning, you could say. »
Miller also highlighted the close collaboration between the pilots to advance the machine. We have been working structurally on the whole test plan throughout the test programme. I try a chassis and then I pass it to all the drivers to try to get information from each one to then do better in the next step. I think they are doing the right thing and that shows their total commitment to improving the project and improving their position »
Jack Miller remains optimistic about the future of Yamaha in MotoGP. With time, a strong test team and an open approach, the Japanese team has all the ingredients to return to the top. And Miller, with his experience and determination, intends to actively contribute to this.
