BOLOGNA, Italy – Ducati Corse announced Wednesday that Jack Miller will become a factory rider for the brand in the MotoGP World Championship next season.

Ducati officials and the 25-year-old Australian rider have an agreement in place for 2021, with an option to extend the contract into 2022.

Miller, who made his MotoGP debut in 2015 at just 20 years old, joined Ducati in 2018 with the Pramac Racing Team, a factory-supported team of the Bologna manufacturer.

He finished last season eighth in the MotoGP standings, with five podiums during the year.

“First of all I want to thank Paolo Campinoti, Francesco Guidotti and all the Pramac Racing Team for the great support I have received from them in the two and a half years spent together. It is an honor for me to be able to continue my MotoGP career with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, and I would like to thank all the Ducati management, Claudio, Gigi, Paolo and Davide, for having trusted me and given me this incredible opportunity,” said Miller. “I look forward to starting riding again this year, and I am ready to fully commit to the responsibility of being an official Ducati rider in 2021.”

“Since he arrived in the Pramac Racing Team, Jack has grown steadily, proving himself one of the fastest and most talented riders in the championship. We are happy that he has agreed to ride the official Desmosedici GP bike of the Ducati Team next year,” added Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “We are convinced that Jack has all the right skills to fight continuously for the positions that matter, in every race, starting already this season with the Desmosedici GP20 of the Pramac Racing Team, and taking a further step forward next year thanks to the support of the Ducati Team.”