Jack Miller - 'We can be very fortunate' of the work Dovizioso did
Fastest during the Qatar test, Jack Miller heads into the 2021 MotoGP season not only a favourite for this Sunday's race but for the championship.
The first of two Qatar Grand Prix will see the Australian make his competitive debut for the Factory Ducati Lenovo team after three seasons with the Pramac team.
With the departures of Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci at the end of last season, MIller also becomes the most experienced Ducati rider currently on the MotoGP grid.
A role he is 'happy' to have. "Yeah I guess it kind of is like that. I’m now the most experienced guy at Ducati, even though Zarco has a couple more years on me," said Miller.
"In terms of MotoGP races and starts, I feel like I have the most experience and I’m happy to take that role on.
"Andrea [Dovizioso] was Andrea, and I think the Ducati we have now is because of Andrea and what he’s done over the last few seasons. I think we can be very fortunate for that. I’ll just do my best not to stuff it up."
Being a factory rider comes with added pressure and expectation and during today's press conference, Miller was asked about becoming a title favourite for the first time since his Moto3 days, along with comparisons between him and Casey Stoner.
Miller was quick to shut down any similarities and not to expect a season like Stoner had in 2007 which is one of the best in MotoGP history.
"From time-to-time I get a message from him, but to compare me to Casey is completely wrong. What he did in 2007 was definitely something spectacular and I don’t think it will ever be repeated," added Miller.
"Like you said, the first time I was a title favourite was in Moto3 with the KTM Red Bull team, and I hadn’t had a podium or a win or anything. Now i’m definitely older and wiser than I was then and I feel as ready as I can be.
"I know all the guys on the grid quite well, aside from the rookies, but even them I have raced them before, and yeah, I feel as ready as ever but we will see. Last year the season was long and it is even longer this year."
