Crash.net's Top 10 MotoGP Riders of 2021: 5th - Jack Miller
- Team: Ducati Lenovo (factory)
- Bike: GP21
- Wins: 2
- Podiums: 5
- Best Qualifying: 2nd (x5)
- Fastest Lap: 0
- DNFs: 4
- Championship position: 4th
Jack Miller's 2021 MotoGP season is one of the hardest to evaluate, a case of glass half full or half empty.
On one hand, when Miller originally signed for the factory Ducati team - before a racing wheel had been turned in the covid-delayed 2020 season - it was as Danilo Petrucci's replacement.
On that basis, Miller's two race wins (his first in the dry) and a career-best fourth in the world championship exceeds what Petrucci achieved as a clear number two to Andrea Dovizioso in 2019 and 2020.
But when contract talks broke down between Dovizioso and Ducati for 2021, Miller was effectively elevated to team leader with his far less experienced Pramac team-mate Francesco Bagnaia (one podium in two MotoGP seasons) brought in to fill the Dovizioso void.
And it is when judged against Bagnaia's performances - four wins, nine podiums, six poles and title runner-up to Fabio Quartararo - that Miller's season looks less impressive.
Suffering four DNFs, the popular Australian also came within eight points of losing out to Pramac Ducati's Johann Zarco in the final standings and consistency will be a key target for Miller in 2022, as he seeks to fend off any competition for a new contract with the factory team.
