MILLER SAYS MOTOGP RIDERS SHOULD BE PAID FOR GROWING PROMOTIONAL DUTIES

MotoGP’s push to attract a wider audience is bringing more entertainment and promotional events to race weekends, but it is also adding to riders’ already demanding schedules. The issue has drawn fresh attention after organisers announced a €5,000 fine at the Indonesian Grand Prix for missing a promotional commitment.

Pramac Yamaha rider Jack Miller said riders should take part when these appearances are expected, rather than leaving others to fulfil the obligations. “We’re all in the same boat,” he said, questioning why one rider should be exempt while the rest participate. “If we all refuse, we’ll look like idiots. Nobody is above the rules.”

The commitments include fan events in host countries before Grands Prix, as well as activities during race weekends. One recent example was a go-kart event in Japan. Miller acknowledged that the number of appearances is growing, but argued that riders should eventually be paid for the extra work.

“I understand that it’s getting to be more and more, and at some point they’ll have to pay us for it — the riders, I mean,” he said. Miller added that the arrangement could not continue if riders were asked to do increasingly more while the money coming in kept falling.