The Pramac Yamaha Team Manager sits down with AMCN to discuss Jack Miller’s chances of staying put for 2027, and the progress of new signing Toprak Razgatlioglu
Was there always going to be a period of adaptation with Yamaha’s new V4?
For sure. When we talk about a V4, we talk about a completely new bike – not just an engine. It’s the whole package we have right now. When you have to set up a completely new project, you need a lot of time. If you consider the other factories have the same layout of the bike, like engine and chassis, they’re just working on details. We (still) have to find our way. And finding your way during a race weekend is quite difficult. (At Jerez) Friday was raining, you don’t have the time to set up the bike. So it can become a mess. When you start from zero you need time. Nobody knows how much you need. But for sure it’s not just one week, or one season. Time means one or two seasons at least. It was our target to go (with Yamaha’s V4) even if we knew the way to come back to the top would be quite long. So, it’s not a surprise for me.
The Spanish GP was difficult but there have been some positives so far this season. Do those moments give you hope?
For sure. In some specific moments, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel, especially in the rain. We’re good then because the riders are good in the rain. Also, it means the bike is easier, friendlier to ride. When this happens, the rider can show his potential. On the other hand, we know when the track is dry, we’re a bit far from the others. (Toprak) showed his speed in the USA, which means he’s already at the level of the other riders. That’s good news. After just three races, he’s there. We have to work on the feeling the rider has and find the best balance possible with the tools we have right now. Being the top Yamaha is our target.
Were you expecting a long adaptation process for Toprak coming from WSBK?
Yes, it’s a long adaptation. In the few races we’ve had, he was a surprise for me. He doesn’t know a lot of tracks. And when you don’t know (that), the process of learning becomes slower. The USA is a really long, hard track. He had some experience there in the past, but not as a MotoGP rider. It means he doesn’t just have the talent to be fast; he has the talent to understand what he needs quickly.
How have you found working with him so far?
This was the biggest surprise for me. He’s a really kind man, a nice person. He’s professional, of course. But also, I’ve found a normal person, even if he’s a three-time world champion. He’s really open to talking, and listens to our tips. He likes to create a good atmosphere. When he arrives at the garage in the morning, he goes to say hello to everyone one-by-one. I’m really happy. On the other side we have Jack. They’re quite similar. The atmosphere inside the garage is incredible. It’s not easy to find that between teammates. This is what Yamaha needs to improve the project. If we have two different riders with completely different characters, and they’re fighting together on track all the time and the garage, you don’t find the way. But with this kind of atmosphere we have, we’re able to keep the good mood, even if the results haven’t come.
Is managing Toprak’s expectations one of your biggest challenges?
I have to manage him but I also have to manage (the team) as well! As we came from an incredibly good season (in 2024). We need to be focused on the target. That’s to help Yamaha to come back. We have to be calm and give Yamaha the right feedback to learn and find what we need.
How have you assessed Jack’s performance so far this year?
The performances have not been really good, honestly speaking. He didn’t find the, let’s say, balance of the bike. We’re still fighting to find what he really needs. I also have to say he’s the rider that’s received the most updates from Yamaha compared to the others. He has experience from different factories. His experience is good for us. He’s the rider whose feedback we can trust the most. I think we have a good combination. A new rider with no MotoGP experience, and one with a lot. With this kind of mindset, it’s better for us because we can learn from them both. (Considering) their different experience, if their feedback is the same, we know we’re going in the right direction.
Toprak has a two-year deal, Jack only one. What are his chances of staying put for 2027?
At the moment, he’s an important asset of the team. He always has the right feedback for us. We have to wait a bit to see more his performance on this bike. Later we’ll take our decision. At the moment, it’s not a topic we’re talking about.
Yamaha Team Manager Massimo Meregalli said he expects it to take half a season before Yamaha is competing. Do you foresee it taking longer?
In my opinion, it’ll be longer than that. It’s quite clear in my mind. From my point of view, it’s something normal. We cannot expect any big improvements before the end of the season. Yamaha could be ready in 2027, if the factory starts the new era with a perfect bike. Here is where we can make a really big step.
