The next piece of the 2023 puzzle has fallen into place. Today, KTM and Ducati announced that Jack Miller would be leaving the factory Ducati squad at the end of 2022, and joining KTM for the 2023 and 2024 season to race in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad.
Miller is no stranger to KTM. The Australian raced for KTM in his final year in Moto3, before making the move to MotoGP. He is managed by Aki Ajo, the veteran team manager of KTM’s Moto2 and Moto3 squads.
So a return to KTM is no surprise, and had been the subject of rumors for several weeks now.
Miller’s arrival means that Miguel Oliveira will be departing. The Portuguese rider has been offered a place in the Tech3 KTM satellite squad, but he has publicly stated he has no interest in a return to Tech3.
Oliveira has been linked to both LCR Honda and Gresini Ducati, with Ducati believed to be the most likely destination at the moment.
Miller’s signing brings the number of riders with a contract for 2023 and beyond to eight.
Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli will continue in the factory Monster Energy Yamaha squad, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales will remain the Aprilia factory team, while Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia will remain with Repsol Honda and Ducati Lenovo respectively.
Miller and Brad Binder at Red Bull KTM are the other two.
The next announcement expected is that Pol Espargaro will switch to the Tech3 KTM team, probably taking the seat vacated by Raul Fernandez. That announcement is believed to be imminent.
Fernandez is expected to join the RNF Aprilia squad for 2023, while there are strong indications that Joan Mir will replace Pol Espargaro in the Repsol Honda squad.
The battle for the second factory Ducati squad is between Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini, but a decision on that is unlikely to be taken until after the summer break.
Source: KTM
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