Pramac Ducati rider Jack Miller says the news Jorge Lorenzo could take his MotoGP ride in 2020 “hit me like a ton of bricks”.
Miller is out of contract next year but had been expecting to seal a one-year extension to his contract, having already agreed terms with Pramac.
But Jorge Lorenzo’s interest in returning to the Ducati fold – which is believed to be reciprocated by Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’igna – has left Miller facing an uncertain future.
Could Lorenzo really move to Pramac Ducati?
Asked whether the recent developments had caught him by surprise, Miller said: “100%. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
“I found out yesterday, some other people found out earlier, through one way or another. I didn’t need to know last weekend obviously.
“But anyway, I’m not stressed. As I said, Paolo [Campinoti, Pramac CEO] is on his way here on Sunday, I don’t think he’ll allow Jorge on his bike, so [that] makes me happy.”
Earlier, Autosport revealed that Lorenzo had offered his services to the Petronas Yamaha squad for 2021.
Miller scored his second podium of the 2019 campaign last time out at Brno and led Ducati’s efforts in the afternoon Friday practice session at the Red Bull Ring.
“It’s nice [to be top Ducati in FP2], but I actually wanted to go top of the timesheets, because that would’ve been even funnier,” he said.
“I wasn’t able to do it, the soft didn’t really give me what I wanted, but we were close enough.
“I mean, we’re just out here doing our job, like we do every week. For me, it’s [the ride rumours] just extra motivation.
“You use it as fuel, for sure. I mean, we can all get comfortable as I say, and think I’ve done a good enough job.
“Clearly, some people are thinking I haven’t, so I guess I have to do a better job.”
Asked as to who his doubters were Miller said: “I think you guys have got a rough idea.”
Miller said continuing with Ducati remains his preferred option, but added that he “100%” would not be out of a job next year.
“I did the press conference yesterday and I was getting messages and calls last night. There are other options, that’s for sure.”