until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
The Ducati MotoGP team has, as reported last week by The Race, confirmed that 2021 double race winner Jack Miller will remain a part of its line-up for next year.
Miller was originally on a one-year deal with the factory team that has now been extended to cover 2022.
The announcement was made today ahead of this weekend’s home race for them at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, and the Australian paid tribute to Ducati management following his difficult start to the season.
“I am thrilled to be able to continue my adventure with the Ducati Lenovo Team also next season,” said Miller in a press release.
“Wearing these colours is a great honour for me, and having been able to win the last two races on the Desmosedici GP is a real dream!
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the great support that I’ve received from Ducati and the whole team during the last months, and I want to thank Gigi [Dall’Igna], Paolo [Ciabatti], Davide [Tardozzi], and Claudio [Domenicali] for the faith they had in me.
“Now I can solely concentrate on the current season. We are fourth in the standings, not far from the leader, and the championship is still very long. I will do my best to continue this positive trend and fight for the title. Forza Ducati!”
With his second season at the works team initially only an option in his contract, Miller’s place for next year was originally questioned after a rocky start to the season.
In the opening races in Qatar he finished well out of podium contender, while satellite rider Johann Zarco took the Pramac Ducati to back-to-back podiums and led the championship. Miller then crashed out of the Portuguese GP.
However, Miller silenced any criticism in style at the Spanish Grand Prix with his first dry weather MotoGP victory at Jerez, before going on to underline his point two weeks later at Le Mans by triumphing in wet conditions.
The news that he will remain with the team for 2022 marks the start of a big week of announcements for Ducati.
News of an extended three-year deal with satellite partner Pramac is expected in the coming days, before it’s announced next week that Valentino Rossi’s new Saudi-backed two-bike MotoGP team will also use Ducati machinery next season.
