When Jack Miller addressed the MotoGP media at the Red Bull Ring before of the 11th race of the 2024 season, his manner was very different from what it was at the British Grand Prix two weeks prior.
His chances of winning a MotoGP race had significantly improved since the Silverstone event. Miller said in Austria that he has since had discussions, even though the phone hadn’t rung before that round.
He did his best to deny rumors that he had signed with Pramac Yamaha, but he was keeping his cards close to his chest.
There has been a lot of work done behind the scenes to keep the 29-year-old’s career alive, even though there hasn’t been any official word on the situation yet.
As to the allegations published on es.motorsport.com, Dorna Sports, the promoter of MotoGP, is eager to maintain an Australian driver on the grid. Following the collapse of talks for the owner of Phillip Island to take out Gresini, the Australian was discovered to be heading to Pramac.
Spectators have long accused Dorna of having a fake passport because they believe that being from Italy or Spain guarantees her a spot on the MotoGP grid. Although that makeup has been present on most of the grid for years, it is unrelated to Dorna.
Spain has had, and still does, the best advancement system in the world for many years. The nation has a strong passion for motorcycle racing and is committed to assisting the next generation in reaching their goals. That explains why the Spanish flag has flown for so many of the elite athletes we have seen over the past fifteen or so years.
Midway through the previous decade, Valentino Rossi established the VR46 Academy in an attempt to improve Italy’s waning grand prix chances. Francesco Bagnaia, one of his riders, is currently the reigning MotoGP world champion, while other riders like Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi have achieved victories in elite races.
Ai Ogura and, most likely, Somkiat Chantra will join the grid the next year, representing Thailand and Japan respectively. But, the Asia Talent Cup is the bigger event. Dorna established that program, along with the Northern Talent Cup and the British Talent Cup, to support and elevate promising riders from the Asia-Pacific area.
It’s hard to criticize Dorna for making a concerted effort to increase geographic diversity on the MotoGP grid. Additionally, it has supported a number of Spanish and non-Italian riders in obtaining rides to satisfy important markets for years.
Because of this, highly regarded Moto2 talent Sergio Garcia will not be competing in the MotoGP next year due to his Spanish passport.
Although it’s scarcely fair, that’s sometimes how business is done.
Miller has undoubtedly benefited from his passport. Young Australians like Joel Kelso and Jacob Roulstone in Moto3 are among those rising through the ranks, and they may benefit from seeing a prominent example set in MotoGP. And anything that helps keep the utterly amazing Phillip Island on the schedule is appreciated.
