MONTELLA QUESTIONS YAMAHA AND BMW WSBK DEALS FOR MILLER AND BINDER

World Superbike rider Yari Montella has questioned whether Yamaha and BMW’s reported 2027 plans for Jack Miller and Brad Binder are based purely on sporting merit, suggesting the pair’s fame and media pull may have played a role.

According to the reporting, Yamaha and BMW have not yet officially confirmed that Miller and Binder will race for them in the World Superbike Championship next season, but the moves are widely believed to be completed deals. For Miller, the expectation is that he will replace Xavi Vierge as Andrea Locatelli’s teammate, with the claim that he has already signed his WSBK contract with Yamaha. For Binder, the reports say BMW’s decision is also effectively final, with him set to partner Miguel Oliveira by replacing Danilo Petrucci.

The potential switch would mark the end of each rider’s MotoGP career: Miller is said to have 12 years in the premier class, while Binder’s time there is described as seven. The context behind the exits is also clear in the coverage. Miller is out of contract with KTM at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, and Yamaha is expected to move him to WSBK after choosing not to offer him a new works MotoGP deal. In that same Yamaha reshuffle, Pramac’s lineup is expected to change as Izan Guevara graduates from Moto2 to join Toprak Razgatlioglu at the Tuscan team.

Binder’s path is linked to KTM’s own 2027 planning. The Austrian manufacturer has reportedly moved to secure his replacement after deciding on a new lineup that includes Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, with Pedro Acosta leaving KTM for Ducati.

While Yamaha and BMW will be hoping that Miller and Binder’s experience in MotoGP translates into development and results for their Superbikes from 2027, Montella believes the appeal may not be purely performance-driven. Speaking via quotes attributed to GPOne, the Italian said the decision could be influenced by how well known the riders are and how large their following is.

“It’s probably also because they’re better known and have a larger following. I may not be that famous yet, but in the end, it’s all about speed,” Montella said. He added that, although riders can control what they do on track, factors outside racing are not fully in their hands: “This is our sport; it’s like a game. There are days when you can give it your all on the track, but what happens off the track is out of my hands.”

Despite his doubts about the motivations, Montella also argued that high-profile arrivals can benefit the championship. In his view, having major media personalities with big audiences join WSBK is positive because it can increase attention and visibility for the series.

“In my opinion, when riders who are such major media personalities with a huge following join the series, it’s good for the championship,” Montella continued. “It can help draw more attention to Superbike and give it greater visibility.”

Montella is currently in his second World Superbike season, racing a Ducati for Barni. He made his WSBK debut in 2025 with the same team. His background includes winning the 2020 FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship, then moving through Moto3 and Moto2 before joining the Supersport World Championship in 2022, where he recorded a best finish of third in the 2024 standings. As of the reporting, Montella has not yet won a World Superbike race.

The contrast in experience is highlighted in the coverage as well. Miller and Binder are expected to arrive in the WSBK paddock with four and two MotoGP Grand Prix wins respectively, alongside 23 and 11 MotoGP podiums in the premier class.