Honda: No regrets losing Jack Miller to KTM

Honda has denied it was a major mistake not keeping Aussie sensation Jack Miller in its Moto3 stable for 2014.

Miller impressed on an underpowered FTR-Honda last season but moved to join the high profile Red Bull KTM squad before HRC confirmed it was upping its effort in Moto3 with a completely revamped machine.

Miller has already established himself as one of the brightest future prospects in 2014 with three wins from the opening six races to lead the championship by five points from Romano Fenati.

Honda though has denied letting Miller’s talent slip through the net, insisting it hadn’t made a final decision on its increased involvement in Moto3 when the 19-year-old signed a deal with KTM.

HRC has now denied it could have done more to keep Miller on board, having been aware of his speed throughout 2013.

HRC boss Livio Suppo told MCN: “We tried to convince him to stay with Honda hoping he believed we would build a good machine. Last year it was easier for him to have an official deal with KTM than to remain in a situation where you have to trust Honda in a team that is not considered a factory team. When he decided to go to KTM it was too early.

At the time we had not decided and at that point it looked like only the German team was able to run with our bike. Time wise it was impossible to fix anything. It is totally understandable he was looking for something else but hopefully he will be a Honda rider in the future.”