Jack Miller relieved as chatter issues disappear with Pramac Yamaha
Jack Miller enjoys a trouble-free MotoGP debut with Pramac Yamaha, leaving KTM's chatter problems behind at the Thai Grand Prix.
By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina
Jack Miller couldn’t hide his excitement after making his Pramac Yamaha debut at the Thai Grand Prix, free from the severe chatter issues that plagued his 2024 MotoGP season with KTM. The Australian, who struggled with a violently shaking RC16 last year—famously captured on camera at Motegi—was thrilled to report that his new Yamaha M1 had “zero” chatter problems.
“Well, the rear tyre is not trying to fall out of the bike every time I go into a corner, so that’s a positive!” Miller joked after the race. “It’s very nice [not to have chatter]. That’s why I’ve got a big smile on my face every time I get off the bike.”
Miller’s debut with Yamaha was closely watched, and despite facing some challenges, he emerged as the brand’s top performer in Buriram. His ability to push the M1 without experiencing chatter marked a stark contrast to his difficulties with KTM last season.
A strong start despite setbacks
Miller showed competitive pace throughout the weekend, qualifying fourth on the grid. However, his promising start was derailed when he crashed out of sixth place in the Saturday Sprint. Despite the setback, the Australian remained positive about his performance and the improvements he felt on the Yamaha.
“Even after a crash, you understand why it happened,” Miller explained. “After three or four months off the bike and not being competitive for quite a while, it’s nice to be back at the pointy end and challenging those guys.”
He also emphasized the significance of performing well at Buriram, where MotoGP riders had conducted extensive pre-season testing.
“Especially at a track like this where we've all done testing and everybody is on such a high level,” he said.
Fighting through challenges in the main race
In Sunday’s main race, Miller initially held sixth place during the first half before dropping back due to a loose fairing that complicated his race. Despite the issue, he managed to secure an 11th-place finish, making him the highest-placed Yamaha rider.
The top KTM rider, Brad Binder, finished just over two seconds ahead in eighth place, highlighting the ongoing battle between the two manufacturers.
Miller’s debut with Yamaha signals a promising start to his new chapter in MotoGP, and his relief at finally escaping chatter issues could allow him to focus fully on refining his race pace and challenging the frontrunners as the season progresses.