Miller has MotoGP options beyond Honda for 2018
Marc VDS rider Jack Miller says he has options beyond Honda when it comes to signing a deal to stay in MotoGP in 2018 and beyond.
Jack Miller, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS
Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Australian was promoted directly to the premier class from Moto3 in 2015 as part of a three-year deal with Honda, initially with the LCR team before he moved to Marc VDS last year.
Miller remains at the Belgian squad for 2017, but is out of contract at the end of the year.
Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Miller made it clear remaining with Honda is his priority for a future deal, but said other manufacturers had already expressed an interest in securing his services.
“Not yet,” said Miller when asked if he had begun discussions with Honda about 2018. “We’ve got offers there from a few people, and we’re keeping our options open, just trying to get some more.
“We finished the season off pretty strongly last year after the injury during mid-season, and I’m trying to start this season strong so we can see what we can get lined up mid-year.
“There are [other] offers out there, for sure. I’d like to stay with Honda because I’ve put in over the last three years on the bikes that haven’t been the best, so I’d like to stay when the bikes are good.
"But we’ll see what the options are.”
Repsol Honda chance in 2019
With most MotoGP riders currently on two-year deals with their current squads, 2017 is likely to have a major bearing on who ends up where in 2019, as riders scramble to sign deals in the first half of next season.
Both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa are out of contract with the Repsol-backed works Honda team after 2018, and Miller is aware that a strong 2017 showing could put in the frame to replace one of the factory riders.
“For sure they [Repsol Honda] will be looking [at my performances],” said Miller. “I don’t know if Dani will do any more after 2018.
“We’re just starting out with the ’17 season, so it’s a little hard to talk about that yet. But we’ll try and do a decent job, that’s for sure.”
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