Jack Miller's future in MotoGP murky as KTM mulls future of standout rookie Pedro Acosta

KTM team boss Pit Beirer has suggested Jack Miller isn't performing at the level required to keep a MotoGP seat with the factory team — and a replacement is looming.

Miller joined KTM in 2023 off the back of a two-year stint at the factory Ducati team, pairing up with Brad Binder who has been a staple at the orange squad since 2020.

The Austrian manufacturer has a relationship with Tech3 Racing, which runs under the KTM sister brand GasGas, supplying them RC16 bikes.

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Spaniard Pedro Acosta has been a standout for GasGas this year and sits sixth in his rookie campaign with 73 points, recording a season-best second at the United States Grand Prix.

Binder is the next best KTM rider in seventh on 67 points with a year-high second in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix. 

Miller, meanwhile, is a lowly 13th on 24 points with a best finish this year of fifth at the Portuguese Grand Prix. He has failed to finish the most recent two races.

Acosta's teammate Augusto Fernandez is only 17th and has yet to crack the top 10 in a race this year.

With Acosta a standout performer, Beirer has intimated he is looking at the KTM's options to lead the way in 2025.

"It is clear that with Brad (Binder) and Pedro (Acosta) we have two (riders) who are fantastic, in whom we believe extremely much and in whom we have a lot of confidence for the future," Beirer told Motorsport-Magazin.com.

"My wish hasn't changed; I want to continue marching with our four drivers. But your question is completely justified. Because to be honest, the current performances of Jack and Augusto are a bit too little for a MotoGP place, which is so valuable. 

"We are already in a phase where we still have time, but not much. Augusto and Jack don't have to take giant steps, but they have to be small steps forward to stabilise the package. That is still my wish. 

"Of course, there is movement in the rider market and other really good-sounding names are calling us and that makes you think. We are not yet in the aggressive phase on the bidding front where we are having any battles with Ducati or Aprilia. But it's an exciting moment."

KTM isn't the only team considering its options for 2025.

Ducati has a stranglehold on the top four places in the championship, which is currently led by Pramac's Jorge Martin.

Francesco Bagnaia is a lock at the factory Ducati team but stablemate Enea Bastianini is thought to be on shaky ground.

Martin has made the best case to graduate to the factory squad but the performances of Marc Marquez with Ducati satellite rider Gresini Racing could see him promoted.

Beirer has eyes on Ducati and its riders and suggested he'd be willing to take phone calls from anyone who might miss out on the factory team.

"It is clear that at Ducati there is currently a surplus of absolutely exceptional greats in our sport – but we also have to be careful," said Beirer.

"With Pedro we have a real diamond in the rough on board and also Brad, who is damn strong. 

"We have to be careful not to let too many riders attack each other on the same level in order to maintain a good overall atmosphere in the project. 

"We are of course excited to see what happens at Ducati. 

"Several riders definitely want the place in their factory team and there will be some disappointed faces among the drivers who don't get it. 

"Then of course you have to answer the phone in a friendly manner when someone calls."

Beirer admitted he doesn't expect Marquez will move from Ducati given the success he has already enjoyed in the five grands prix to date.

The MotoGP season returns to Spain for the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 26.