Miller signs with Ducati factory team for 2021 MotoGP season
Jack Miller has joined the Ducati factory team for the 2021 MotoGP season.
After claiming five podiums for Ducati's satellite team Pramac last year and finishing eighth in the riders' standings, Miller has been promoted on a one-year contract that could be extended into 2022.
The 25-year-old will become the third Australian to race in the famous red of Ducati, following in the footsteps of Troy Bayliss and two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner.
"First of all I want to thank warmly Paolo Campinoti, Francesco Guidotti and all the Pramac Racing Team for the great support I have received from them in the two-and-a-half years spent together," said Miller in a statement.
"It is an honour for me to be able to continue my MotoGP career with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and I would like to thank all the Ducati management … for having trusted me and given me this incredible opportunity.
"I look forward to starting riding again this year, and I am ready to fully commit to the responsibility of being an official Ducati rider in 2021."
Welcome on board @jackmilleraus ! We are pleased to announce that the Australian rider will join the Ducati Team for the 2021 @MotoGP season #ForzaDucati pic.twitter.com/R1fpm0NuqX
— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) May 27, 2020
Ducati Motor Holding chief executive Claudio Domenicali added: "Since he arrived in the Pramac Racing Team, Jack has grown steadily, proving himself one of the fastest and most talented riders in the championship.
"So we are happy that he has agreed to ride the official Desmosedici GP bike of the Ducati team next year.
"We are convinced that Jack has all the right skills to fight continuously for the positions that matter, in every race, starting already this season with the Desmosedici GP20 of the Pramac Racing Team, and taking a further step forward next year thanks to the support of the Ducati Team."
Current Ducati team-mates Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci will likely spend the 2020 season battling it out to retain a place alongside Miller for next year.