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Jack Miller has clarified speculation that linked him with a Honda MotoGP ride for 2019, admitting he spoke to the factory squad but never received an offer.
Miller’s name was floated during MotoGP’s rider market silly season, having first been considered for a factory Ducati seat next season along with current Pramac team-mate Danilo Petrucci – who was eventually given the seat.
He was then rumoured to be a potential replacement for Dani Pedrosa at Honda, and denied Spanish media reports that he had turned down an offer.
Miller, who will spend another season at Pramac, has now clarified where he stood in relation to speculation about a Honda ride that emerged during last month’s Italian Grand Prix weekend at Mugello.
In his latest Red Bull column, he admitted there were talks with the Japanese manufacturer but said negotiations had not taken place.
“The Honda stuff? You might have read that I’d signed to go there around Mugello time, and don’t worry, I read it too,” said Miller.
“So let’s clear that up: there was talk, definitely, but no contract negotiations.
“It’s a big step from talking about something to negotiating to signing… so I don’t know who said what to who or whatever to turn that into a story that I’d definitely be racing there next year.
“Talking… it’s always good to know what your options could have been over there. Signing something? That’s a lot different…”
Miller added that, although neither of his rumoured factory options materialised, he was excited at the prospect of being on a Pramac-run GP19 next year.
“I’m so stoked to be back here again next year and on a factory Ducati too, and there’s a lot of pressure off my shoulders for the rest of this year having next year sorted out so early,” said Miller, who is racing a year-old Ducati this season.
“The rest of this year is head down, keep learning and make myself ready for the factory bike and the extra responsibility next year.
“Knowing where I’ll be in 2019 already takes the pressure off and gets the distractions out of the way so I can build from here.”
Speaking over the Assen weekend, Miller also made it clear he was still focussed on getting into the main Ducati squad in 2020, with both he and Petrucci heading into ’19 on one-year deals.
“That’s my motivation for sure,” he said.
“That’s my reason of only doing a one-year contract with Ducati because we need to show to them that we’re ready for the factory team come next year and do our job.”