Ducati offers Miller factory seat in WSBK after KTM MotoGP Exit

Miller's chances of continuing to race in MotoGP are growing more and more unlikely, hence he could be able to find a new house in the World Superbike Championship with Ducati.

Ducati has started talks with Jack Miller, a current competitor in the KTM MotoGP class, as a possible successor for Alvaro Bautista in the World Superbike Championship for the upcoming year.

BMW's Toprak Razgatlioglu earned a hat trick of victory at the previous round, therefore excluding any possibility that Bautistia may be able to add a third straight title to his record. This puts Bautistia's World Superbike Championship career in threat.

Apart from not being able to oppose the Turkish rider, Bautista has also failed to equal the performance of his rookie colleague Nicolo Bulega, who already ranks 40 points ahead of him. Bulega is right now leading the rankings.

Bautista revealed for the first time throughout the course of the weekend in the Czech Republic that he wanted to continue his career with Ducati for at least one more season in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), therefore expressing his hope of a contract extension.

"Please let me go forward. They are talking with Ducati about maybe extending the agreement," he said. "It's hard for me to see this as the path to end my career. I must once more enjoy the bike if I want to feel powerful.

According to reports, the Borgo Panigale looked for alternatives when the Spaniard's advisors met with Ducati and searched for a more financially beneficial arrangement.

With the Spaniard already getting 750,000 euros yearly and Bulega receiving 200,000 euros, the rider pay for the Ducati factory squad comes close to one million euros. Rider pay are budgeted for about one million euros.

With his remuneration rising to €450,000, Bulega reportedly renewed his contract until 2025 and guaranteed a significant income increase on the strength of his outstanding accomplishments this year. Given a total budget of less than €1m, the second Ducati rider will make about the same amount next year, significantly less than what Bautista expects.

Miller has now come into relevance, and Motorsport.com is aware that Ducati has got in touch to discuss a WSBK changeover.

Miller spent three years with Pramac before rising to the factory team in 2021, so he was part of Ducati's MotoGP campaign between 2018–22. Having spent his career with Ducati in the premier class, he has three wins; the most recent one was in the Japanese GP in 2022. You may alos read this: Marco Bezzecchi Set For 2025 Aprilia Move

After Pedro Acosta was elevated to the factory team alongside Brad Binder, the Australian joined KTM last year at the end of his career with Ducati; however, he is leaving the Austrian brand after Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini have been hired to the satellite Tech3 squad from 2025.

Initially, it seemed like the Australian may find solace with Aprilia's satellite team Trackhouse Racing, which was looking for a new rider to take Miguel Oliveira's current seat. But that option too now seems to be barred as the American company now closes in on an agreement with Moto2 championship rival Ai Ogura.

Miller is waiting for more changes in the rider market before choosing his next professional route. Apart from Ducati, he is allegedly to receive at least one more offer from a manufacturing team to join WSBK in 2025.

Nonetheless, the 29-year-old wants to look at his alternatives in the top class right now and has asked for time until the Austrian GP on August 16–18 before deciding on anything.