UPDATE: Without naming Jack Miller, Michelin’s final Tire Tech Notes point to a slower out lap and a bug in Sector 2 on the Australian’s second run:
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“There was a complaint after Q2, but based on the data immediately available, we find that there was an out lap 20 seconds slower than normal on the second run, so any perceived lack of performance can be attributed to the subsequent reduction in tires.” Temperature and pressure (which we will have to confirm later after a detailed data analysis) for the single time attack round. In addition, the biggest contributor to lap time appeared to be the loss of 8 tenths of a second in Sector 2. Run 1 was similar to Pecco’s first run in terms of lap times. ‘
“It’s happened a couple of times and I can tell you one thing: I’m sick of it. But anyway, it is what it is. We’re moving forward and hopefully it doesn’t happen tomorrow.”
Those were the words of a visibly angry Jack Miller, who entered the COTA MotoGP qualifying as the fastest in both FP3 and FP4 and was selected by Marc Marquez in tow, but then couldn’t get better than tenth place on the grid (+0.939.) S).
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The Ducati factory rider didn’t directly blame his tires, but it was clear that a tire performance issue was to blame for at least one and possibly both of his qualifying runs.
“I had a hard tire in FP4 and drove one lap two tenths of a second behind my possibilities [with a new soft tyre] in qualifying, “he said.” And I got a 2nd in FP3. [on a new soft rear, 0.8s faster than in qualifying].
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“Well, I don’t know [what happened in qualifying]. It wasn’t a lack of try, I can tell you.
“As soon as I hit the track, I tried to get the most out of it, but it didn’t work.
“Even if I want to, we won’t comment on it [further] At this point. It’s just that I haven’t been able to do what I know I can.
“I’ll just try to do my best and whatever is in my control, I’ll do it. But we cannot control everything. That’s the shame about it.
“The team did a fantastic job all weekend, like every weekend. I’m sorry for you, but tomorrow the points will be distributed. We will get the most out of it.”
It’s not the first time Miller and his Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, who took pole position on Saturday, have complained about tire problems this year. “Yes, we know …”
While Miller was visibly dejected to see a potential starting advantage over Joan Mir and Johann Zarco – before him in the World Championship – disappear, Miller comforted himself from 13th to fourth place from Ducati predecessor Andrea Dovizioso at the 2019 event.
“It made work difficult. My championship rivals are in front of me with Zarco and Me and they are definitely the ones we need to have in front of us,” said Miller.
“It’s not going to be the easiest race, but if you look at what Dovi was doing here a few years ago when we did the last race, he managed to finish fourth. There were a couple of falls that day, but I did I have good speed, I have good potential and I feel good on the bike.
“We just have to drive away cleanly, which is the most difficult thing from behind, especially at Turn 1 and otherwise just try our best to get under the guys in front as quickly as possible and stay there.”
Miller is fifth in the World Championship, one point behind Zarco and 27 from Mir with four laps to go.
The Australian’s poor qualifying also hurts Ducati’s chances of Miller taking points from Bagnaia’s title rival Fabio Quartararo, who qualified second for Yamaha.