Jack Miller talks about the new experience in Ducati after the presentation of the Desmosedici GP 2021. The main focus is to try to go on the podium and win some races.
Ducati has officially unveiled the new bike and their riders. Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia will ride the new Desmosedici GP 2021 this season. Immense joy for both drivers, thrilled by the idea of being now part of the official team. Jack talks about motivation, the one thing that makes him willing to ride. “You need to find something to motivate you and being in the factory team does that. I want to work at the best I can and we can continue to grow. I hope the results are good.”
It is not the first experience at Ducati, Jack has raced for Pramac since 2018. “Over the last three years, I have worked with Ducati engineers and they know what I need and what to improve. It is going to be the continuing of that work. I’ve been given the right tools to grow, riding a Ducati is not easy, and being under a one-year contract is what it is, but it helps me stay motivated and focused. I think I am a wiser rider, I’m not a kid anymore. If I show that I can go fast, I’ll get help to improve.”
“The big difference will be the mentality.” The Aussie continues. “There’s a lot of work to do but there are more people with me. In the red garage, the approach to the races will be a little different. My crew chief will follow me, it is not going to be really different, since there is already a close relationship between Ducati and Pramac. I know who I will work with and they know who I am. It’s nice keeping the same guys”
After two surgeries, his leg is now ok. “As you know, we had to quarantine when we got home. I’ve been quarantined for 19 days so I ended up with an infection on the leg. The leg is perfect now, when I got back to Europe things came to normality. I don’t have pain. We are always working on myself, my mental strengths, and the performance of my body. I need to be consistent, last year we had some issues especially at the beginning of the season.”
Expectations for this season? Podiums and wins. “The goal is to be on top with the team. There are many things to improve. I hope that with my feedback we’ll be able to keep going in the right direction. Coming from the GP17, there has been a great improvement and I hope this can continue.”
As usual, his nationality leads to the comparison with Stoner and Bayliss. “It’s a strange things because there are not many Australian motorcycle riders. For sure for me, it is a great motivation to grow up with riders like them. I put enoguh pressure on myself but I’ll the best I can, I want to reach their level.”
The new season is starting in a month and Mir is the current world champion. “Nobody would have imagined that, Suzuki and Mir did an excellent job. It’s going to be interesting to see how they’ll react to Brivio’s goodbye. If you look at the last part of the season, Frankie (Morbidelli) was the strongest rival. Fabio will be there, and Maverick too. The list could go on, everyone is strong. Crutchlow? I won’t miss him at all! (laughter!). Everyone will miss him.”