Yamaha managing director Paolo Pavesio wanted to decide whether Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira would stay at Pramac by the summer, yet that is no longer the case.
This week’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno had long been seen as the final chance for Oliveira and Miller to prove their case to Yamaha, as the Iwata natives are still to decide who will partner Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac next year. But Pavesio has delayed when he will make his call.
Yamaha wanted to decide Pramac’s 2026 rider line-up before the 2025 summer break as the gap in action is when a release clause in Oliveira’s two-year factory contract becomes active. Yamaha can release Oliveira if the 30-year-old is their lowest-scoring rider at the end of July.
It would now take a miracle weekend at the Czech GP for Oliveira to avoid his release clause becoming active. The Portuguese arrived at Brno as the worst-placed Yamaha rider with just six points after 11 rounds, while Fabio Quartararo has 87, Miller has 46 and Alex Rins has 41.
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty ImagesDiogo Moreira and Manuel Gonzalez force Yamaha to delay their decision on Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira
Yet SPEEDWEEK now notes that Yamaha have ‘indicated’ the situation influencing Pramac’s 2026 rider line-up is ‘somewhat more complex’. So, Pavesio has elected to delay his decision until after not only the Czech GP and Austrian Grand Prix, but also the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Pavesio wants to use Miller and Oliveira’s performances at Brno this weekend, the Red Bull Ring on August 15-17 and Balaton Park on August 22-24 as part of Yamaha’s assessment to pick the ideal teammate for Razgatlioglu ahead of his move across to MotoGP next season.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife
The situation is also more ‘complex’ as Pramac are now open to pairing the two-time World Superbikes champion with another MotoGP rookie from the 2025 Moto2 field. Pramac can now envisage Manuel Gonzalez or Diogo Moreira forming part of their line-up next season.
Yamaha will consider Pramac’s position, but Pavesio will have the final say on whether they will retain Oliveira, give Miller a new contract or pursue a deal for Gonzalez or Moreira. The delay has, however, brought a flurry of suitors from the Superbike paddock to Miller’s door.
Paolo Pavesio could offer Jack Miller a Yamaha World Superbike seat if he leaves MotoGP
Pavesio would happily offer Miller a spot in their World Superbikes team, but the Australian also has interest from BMW as they try to replace Razgatlioglu. Honda have made Miller an offer to move to World Superbikes, as well, but Oliveira does not want to leave MotoGP yet.
Should Pavesio decide to trigger Oliveira’s release clause, the five-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner will look to land a test rider role. Yamaha could give Oliveira the test rider role that Cal Crutchlow is expected to leave at the end of 2025, but another manufacturer may also move.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Miguel Oliveira from net worth to wife
It is likely the emergence of Yamaha’s interest in signing Moreira or Gonzalez that has put a spanner in Pavesio’s plans the most, rather than the results Miller and Oliveira are enjoying at Pramac. But Pavesio might have to go against Pramac if Yamaha decide to sign Gonzalez.
Pramac boss Gino Borsoi believes it’s ‘clear’ Gonzalez is not ready for MotoGP, as his results in Moto2 ‘aren’t conducive’ to meriting a promotion to the premier class. The 22-year-old is in his fourth full season in the intermediate class, and he boasts four wins from seven races.
Aprilia were keen on rivalling Yamaha for Gonzalez if Jorge Martin left the Italian factory. But the Noale squad may still battle for his signature if Trackhouse were to agree to replace Raul Fernandez, who has a contract for the 2026 MotoGP season directly for the American outfit.