Rising Australian motorcycle star Jack Miller has shrugged off increasingly persistent rumours that he’ll be on the MotoGP grid with Honda next season.
The 19-year-old currently leads the Moto3 World Championship riding for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team and has been a stand out this season, winning four races, including the most recent event in Germany.
Despite speculation about a move straight into the premier class in 2015, skipping the Moto2 category – the traditional route to MotoGP, Miller insists he’s not bothered by the hype.
“For me, there’s no extra pressure – as long as I’m riding a bike next year and it’s in this (world) championship, I’ll be happy. For me, I don’t really know where I’ll be yet, and I don’t really care as long as I’m on a motorcycle,” Miller said.
“I’m so fortunate to have a manager in Aki (Ajo) in there at the moment doing the job for me; I don’t have any stress.”
His rapid rise has meant his signature is being keenly sought by several front-running Moto2 teams for 2015, but it’s a potential MotoGP ride for the LCR Honda team – which gave compatriot Casey Stoner his premier class start in 2006, that has interested most observers.
Miller credits the Red Bull KTM team, which propelled Marc Marquez to the 2010 125cc title and German Sandro Cortese to the Moto3 crown in 2012, as being crucial in his development this season.
“You learn so much more with these guys than I have in the last two years that I’ve had in Grand Prix racing,” Miller said.
“It’s such a great environment; it’s a well-rounded crew with knowledge to teach me what they know. If I could take them with me for the rest of my career, I’d love to do it.”
The MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships are currently on the mid-season break, with the next round of the championship at Indianapolis, USA on 10 August.
