Image: Supplied.

Queenslander Jack Miller’s cameo in the Endurance World Championship (EWC) at the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours resulted in a hard-fought P2 finish on Sunday, the Yamaha Racing Team rider recalling his race to the podium alongside Andrea Locatelli and Katsuyuki Nakasuga.

In what marked the manufacturer’s first official entry to the event in five years, Miller joined WorldSBK contender Locatelli and Japanese four-time Suzuka winner Nakasuga on the factory YZF-R1, with the trio taking off from second on the grid.

From there, a clash of the titans ensued, with the official Yamaha effort in a direct fight with the Honda HRC team, featuring just Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi, with the third member of their team Xavi Vierge a late withdrawal.

The 217-lap race was a fierce back-and-forth between the two heavyweights, with the gap ebbing and flowing throughout the eight-hour-long encounter. Ultimately, Miller and the Yamaha Racing Team would seal second overall in what was ultimately a successful outing.

“Of course, I wanted to win, but we were up against strong competition,” reflected Miller. “Still, second place is nice. It was a great day for me, for Nakasuga-san, and Locatelli. The conditions were hot and extremely difficult, but we managed the race with almost no mistakes. Even with that, we couldn’t catch our rivals, so we need to get stronger and faster, and then come back to the Suzuka 8 Hours and win.

“This was my second time riding in the 8 Hours, and I got on the podium. Nakasuga-san told me that the view from the podium is amazing, since he’s seen it several times, and he was right! It was truly beautiful. But what I really want is the bigger one, the winner’s trophy. That thing made me jealous [laughs].”

Expressing excitement in the lead-up, the 30-year-old Australian has made it no secret of his joy in the endurance style of racing, with both the Suzuka event and competing for Yamaha a milestone in his career.

“To ride in the 8 Hours for Yamaha was a wonderful experience,” he added. “I could feel Yamaha’s philosophy of constantly progressing, and it was an honour to have Yamaha President Shitara join us today. The whole team’s work was impressive, and the fans welcomed us warmly. I definitely want to participate in the 8 Hours again as a Yamaha rider and get my hands on that big trophy!”

Miller will return to MotoGP duties for Prima Pramac Yamaha once more when the world championship resumes in Austria on August 11-13, where his future on the grid hangs in the balance as he targets a new deal for 2026 and beyond.