Aussie rider sprays MotoGP as major boycott begins
Australian star Jack Miller has blown up about MotoGP forcing riders to compete in Qatar despite conflict in the region.
And hours after Miller’s public comments condemning the decision, Yamaha announced it will boycott this week’s Qatar Grand Prix following the team’s “latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East”.
Jack Miller of Australia and Prima Pramac. Getty Images
MotoGP will forge ahead with its event there this week despite the threat of war looming over the region.
Pramac Racing driver Miller, 31, took the bold step to voice the fears of his fellow rider when speaking to media on Sunday night.
“I don't want to go. Like everybody. There's 19 of us that don't want to go there,” Miller said.
“I don’t think we should be racing like that. We’ve made our opinion very clear on that. We’ll see what the decision is.
“As riders, we’ve united and done the best we can, and threatened the best we can with what ammunition we have. Not only for us as riders, but also other people in the championship.
“You speak to 50 per cent of the paddock, nobody wants to go. I don’t understand why we need to. I don’t understand.
“We are not hiding our location or the time of day we will be at said location. If anyone does want to make an example, do whatever they do… Like I said, I don’t want to go.
“In my mind I’m still not going. We’ve made our point. Our plan is very clear. I’m waiting to see what happens.
“Everybody keeps asking me what the f--- we’re doing. It’s not up to us. We’re a number in this game, unfortunately.
“There's 19, 20 of us that are pretty adamant. We don't want to go.”
MotoGP has been holding meetings with riders in recent days in an effort to allay fears.
Australian Jack Miller during qualifying at Phillip Island. Getty Images
But the organisation has threatened severe penalties on any rider who chooses not to fly to Qatar.
Intriguingly, other riders have chosen to stay silent on the issue.
When Miller’s comments were put to the three podium-getters from the weekend, only Marc Marquez responded by saying, “I’d rather not say anything”.
Miller says MotoGP is refusing to take responsibility for any possible safety risks.
“The biggest thing for us as riders is liability. Somebody’s got to be liable,” he said.
“If you want us to go there, put your name on it. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask that.”
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 4am (AEDT) next Monday.
