Miller: MotoGP getting more aggressive, Lorenzo 'legend'

On the receiving end of contact from Alex Rins at the Malaysian MotoGP, Jack Miller believes MotoGP has become more aggressive in recent seasons, partly due to the contrasting character of the bikes.

"Oh, it is getting more aggressive for sure," Miller said at Valencia on Thursday. "I mean if you watch the races back from 5-6 years ago even, it's much more aggressive now, but I think it's much better for the fans at home to watch on TV. But there has to be a limit."

The Pramac Ducati rider admitted he would probably have tried the same move as Rins, but was annoyed to have lost his favourite leathers!

"It's two completely opposite bikes trying to take the corner in their standard way and that's how it works. So I can't be angry at him because if I was in his position I'd probably do the same thing," Miller said.

"But at some point, when you are riding your bike pretty much straight into the side of the other rider, you need to calm it down a little bit and just maybe roll-out. There was there or turn one he could have done it, there were a few places.

"I think it's also hard for them [because] our bike has good straight-line speed, but they are missing a little top speed. So they have to try and do the passes in a different way.

"I mean the Suzuki turns well, and Rins knows it. He knows what his strong point is.

"But it wasn't only [at Sepang where there has been contact from Rins], there's been a few races in the past. I saw the front wheel in Barcelona. He did it to Danilo in Barcelona, he's done it to Marc a few times.

"You see the Suzuki missing wings in Aragon, missing wings in other places. It's not like it's a one-time thing. It happens quite often.

"I got a message from [Rins] and he says he thought he had enough room. But when I watched the race back, was there room enough? I don’t know, because he can quite clearly see my trajectory, it's the same as the lap before. I nearly ran over the kerb on the exit, we have to make a 'V'. And that's all I was trying to do.

"That bike allows them to be able to ride like that, let's say, to try and stuff up – which is good, I agree with it, but when you hit somebody and the front wheel comes off the floor, and nearly the rear wheel, in the middle of the corner it's a little bit harsh.

"But it's a part of racing and I'm not crying about it.

"The problem was it was my favourite leather suit and now I can't wear it anymore because the arm is completely black. Now I've got to put on a new one!"

Asked for his thoughts on Jorge Lorenzo's retirement, Miller described the Spaniard - whose talks with Ducati delayed the Australian's 2020 contract extension - as a legend, but welcomes young guys coming in.

"As a rider he's a five-time world champion, and he's a legend in that aspect for sure. The guy is the only one to top Marc at the moment, so for sure I think he's no slouch, but as of recent he's been struggling.

"I mean also this time in MotoGP history it's kind of hard to be swapping machinery like that and jumping from manufacturer to manufacturer. I think you need 2-3 years and if you're getting well into your 30s, 2-3 years becomes a long time. Unless you are Valentino Rossi!

"It's so hard because the biggest thing is understanding how the tyres work on each bike, how each bike works, what is it's strengths? And you can't do that in winter testing. You need racing, you need experience and it's hard to do."

Miller said that Lorenzo's exit doesn't change his own plans for 2021, when he has his sights set on securing a ride at the official Ducati team.

"My main goal is to go to the factory Ducati team… There's a few guys around now that are on last sort-of contracts. I think it's quite good to see some fresh blood come in.

"Everyone wants to see the old guys but also it's really nice to see some young guys coming in and going really well."