Interview with Jack Miller: “I am 100% focused on this season and nothing else”
12/06/2014Moto3 World Championship leader has sights set on lower cylinder category title, and dismisses rumours about his destination for 2015.
Jack Miller has attracted the spotlight this season with his performances in the Moto3 class. Three victories at Qatar, Austin and Le Mans, plus a third place in Argentina has made it a great start to the campaign for the Moto3 rider in the opening six rounds. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider hopes to be back on the podium this weekend at the Grand Prix of Catalonia, having failed to finish the most recent round at Mugello.
Miller is fully focused on the opportunity to win the title this year, and is putting speculation over his future to one side for the moment.
We are witnessing a spectacular start to the season. What is your assessment of this first third of the campaign?
“The first six races have been incredible. It’s been a constant struggle at the top with many riders involved. So far Fenati and I have shared three race wins each and I am happy. We are learning a lot and going race-by-race.”
This season you have taken your first victories in the World Championship. Which win was the best?
“All of them are very important to me. The first win, because it was the first and was a dream come true, but Le Mans was also extraordinary. We fought for it at every corner of the race.”
At Mugello you suffered your first DNF of the season. Have you learned anything from the last race?
“Yes, a lot. I’ve learned to be a little smarter and cleverer, and also to be a little less aggressive -but not too much, because this is racing. I’m sorry that Alex Marquez and Enea Bastianini could not complete the race. Now I’m focused on this weekend, with Mugello put behind us.”
As of this year you live in Tarragona, near the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Is it a special Grand Prix for you?
“The truth is that it is. It was the first circuit at which I rode in Europe. My first race was here and I love this track -it’s one of my favourites. I have high hopes for this weekend and want to be stronger than we were at Mugello.”
Is it like racing at home?
“We could say that it is a bit like a home round, but it’s not like Philip Island; it’s different.”
The weather forecast warn of a high possibility of rain this weekend…
“They say that, but I don’t usually look at the forecasts at any Grand Prix. I don’t care. Besides, this is not a bad track to ride at in the wet. Let’s see what we come up against from tomorrow.”
It would be the first time that you ride the KTM in the wet.
“True, I haven’t yet used this bike in wet conditions, but I’ve talked to riders who did last year and they have told me that the behaviour of the KTM in such conditions is also amazing.”
These last few weeks there has been much talk about your future. Are you already thinking about next season? Are you worried about it?
“Not at all. My main goal right now is to fight for the Moto3 World Championship this year. It is a challenge for which I have been working very hard and making many sacrifices in my career. KTM has given us all a great bike with which to achieve the title. I am 100% focused on it. I don’t want to think about what will happen next year; I cannot afford to think about anything else other than this season. I wish this was something only spoken about after the season ends, although I know that this isn’t possible. But all that is my manager’s job, not mine. I only know that I have nothing decided for next year. I have no contract for the future, so we are completely open and free to negotiate.”
It looks like you have received offers from everything from Moto2 to MotoGP.
“People talk a lot in the paddock and this is not good, as they put a lot of rumours out there that are not true. I only know that I have nothing signed for next year and that I, personally and as a rider, am focusing solely on this great opportunity that has been given to me by the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, to fight for the Moto3 World Championship.”
What is the goal for the seventh round of the season, the Grand Prix of Catalonia?
“To try to win. With the team and the bike that we have, we should always demand the best of ourselves.”