The MotoGP race at the Buddh circuit in India was an eventful one for Jack Miller. In his own words, he described the weekend as one filled with highs and lows. Despite a promising start, finishing 14th was not the outcome he had hoped for.
Miller managed to navigate the chaos of the first corner during the Sprint race on Saturday, securing a seventh-place finish. However, Sunday’s race was a different story. Early on, he had a minor collision and went off the track at Turn 1. Attempting to recover his position on the second lap, he made an error that sent him off the track again. This put him at a significant disadvantage for the rest of the race. Despite his best efforts to catch up, he found himself stuck behind Honda’s Stefan Bradl for several laps, causing his front tire temperature to skyrocket. Once he managed to overtake Bradl, he was able to cool down the tire and put in some decent laps, but by then, it was too late to make a significant impact on his position.
Miller also highlighted some challenges he faced during the race. He struggled with grip throughout, which affected his ability to maintain corner speed. The grip level seemed to have decreased from the Sprint race, causing a lack of confidence in his riding. He mentioned that this grip issue has been a recurring problem in recent races.
Speaking about the Buddh circuit, Miller expressed his appreciation for the track layout. He found it technically challenging, with its fast chicanes reminding him of Mugello. The track’s elevation changes also added to its complexity, making it a visually deceiving and unique circuit.
On a personal note, Miller shared the joy of becoming a father. His daughter, Pip, was born the week before the race, making it incredibly hard for him to leave home for India. He described the feeling of becoming a dad as a “complete game-changer” and mentioned how emotional the experience has been for him.
Looking ahead, Miller is optimistic about the upcoming race in Japan. He has fond memories from the previous year and is confident in his bike and team. He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, as every competitor is enhancing their performance each weekend.