Image: Supplied.

Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller was left to rue what could have been at Le Mans on Sunday, after a strong start in wet conditions ended with a crash during the early stages of the 2025 French Grand Prix.

With forecasts fluctuating and the track partially damp ahead of the race, tyre selection proved crucial. After an aborted start, Miller was among the few to remain on wets, committing to the choice even as many others dove into pit lane to change to slicks at the end of the warm-up lap.

From 13th on the grid, the Australian made rapid progress through the field once the rain intensified, carving his way forward as slick-shod riders began to struggle. The pace was there, and Miller looked to be on course for a standout performance in conditions that historically suit him, before on lap six, the 30-year-old highsided at the final turn and was out of the race.

“This one is tough to digest,” reflected Miller. “We had the right strategy, I gambled, trusted the forecast, and I was right – staying out there at the beginning was tough, all the bikes on slicks were coming by, but I knew there was going to be a crossover where I could have started to recover. I was trying to nurse it and do all the right things.

“It hurts because I don‘t understand what went on. It had started to rain a little more, like I was hoping, [I] came to the last corner, did the same thing as the laps before, but I lost it, had a highside, and that was it. I am gutted for the team, also considering that Johann [Zarco] at that time was behind me.”

The crash brought a premature end to what had been one of Miller’s most promising outings since joining Pramac Yamaha, as LCR Castrol Honda rider Johann Zarco – who was the next rider on slicks at the time, and the eventual race winner – sat 10 seconds behind the number 43.

The DNF marks what is now three non-finishes in a row for Miller since capturing a fifth-place finish at the Americas GP in March, with the MotoGP paddock now turning its attention to Silverstone in two weeks for the British Grand Prix on May 23-25.