Miller regrets costly German GP strategy error

Jack Miller believes he would have claimed a second MotoGP podium if he had reacted to his team’s initial call to pit during a rain-affected German Grand Prix.

The Marc VDS Honda rider was left to rue his decision to stay out on a drying track which ultimately cost him the chance to fight for a possible podium at the Sachsenring circuit.

Miller, who claimed a sensational maiden MotoGP win at Assen last month, tamed tricky wet conditions to surge from 16th to sixth on the first lap.

The Townsville rider stayed with the front runners as the track dried, before inheriting the lead with eight laps to go, as the top five pitted to switch to intermediate and slick tyres.

While Miller persevered on worn wet tyres, he was quickly caught by the eventual winner Marc Marquez (Honda) on slicks before he finally ducked into the pits.

Despite a valiant ride to finish seventh for only his third career MotoGP top 10, he was frustrated by his decision not to pit earlier.

“It was a really good race and I can be happy with the result. But in all honesty I should have trusted my team more and come in earlier for the bike change,” said Miller.

“It’s a real shame I stayed out a little bit too long because I am sure I could have been standing on the podium again.

“It was a tough call to make and there was about seven laps to go and I kept thinking about finishing the race on the wet tyres.

“It was frustrating to see everybody come flying by me and I knew I had to come in and change. As soon as I went back out on slicks I just said ‘why didn’t I do this earlier?’

“It was a big lesson for me to take on board but it was my first real flag-to-flag race and it is good experience for me.

“I still had a lot of fun racing at the front with the likes of Valentino (Rossi) and I nearly passed Dani (Pedrosa) on the last lap to take the top six.

“When I was out on the slicks at the end my pace was really competitive and that gives me a big boost of confidence for the future.”

Miller’s strong showing sees him maintain 13th spot in the championship standings.

The Queenslander will jump aboard his Marc VDS Honda on Tuesday for a test at the Red Bull Ring.