MotoGP: Jack Miller Highlights Major Weakness Of KTM RC16

Saajan Jogia | Aug 7, 2024

Apr 13, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Jack Miller (43) of Australia and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rides during the qualifying session for the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Jack Miller highlighted a major weakness on his 2024 KTM RC16 MotoGP bike following the British Grand Prix, noting its increased temperature sensitivity. He also raised similar concerns about the 2024-spec Michelin tires, explaining that he had to carefully pick up the bike at the exit of "Turn 3" to avoid crashing due to the lack of grip.

Miller's remarks followed his drop to 12th place in Sunday's race after he had secured 7th place in Saturday's sprint race. He attributed the drop in position to a lack of grip, emphasizing the need for the team to address this issue promptly to optimize tire performance and achieve better results.

When asked by Crash.net if the current KTM bike was more sensitive to temperature changes, Miller said:

“I feel more sensitive than in the past, that’s for certain.

“But those boys are going extremely well. Fabio [Quartararo] came past me with two to go, and then that opened the door for Frankie [Morbidelli].

“I watched Frankie dispense of Fabio pretty quick.

“Just seeing the amount of grip he had back-end of the race was impressive.

“And then even seeing the times from the boys at the front, we need to work on being able to use the tires better… or use the potential better.”

The Australian rider revealed a big challenge he faced with low traction during the British GP, which led him to be "super gentle" while switching directions on the bike. He revealed that his patience got him through safely, as he felt a loss of grip in the early part of the race. He added:

“It’s just one of those things that didn’t feel like I had great edge from the beginning to the end.

“I just had to really focus on being patient, waiting to get the thing up.

“I couldn’t use any of the edge from the get go. Every time I put it into Turn 3, third-last corner into the last chicane, I had to be super gentle on forcing the change of direction because I’d lose the grip pretty early on.”

In addition to his KTM MotoGP bike, Miller also called out Michelin's 2024-spec tires for being sensitive to temperature. He said:

“I think they are a little bit [more sensitive to temperature] for some more than others, maybe.

“It’s really a hard one to put your finger on. I can’t comment for anyone else, but I do find that they are so maybe more than in the past.”