Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider Jack Miller admitted that the intense speculation around his future is motivating him this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

The Spaniard had an eventful two years with Ducati which ultimately saw him leave, despite winning three races on the Italian machine last year. After struggling in his first year of a two-year deal with Honda, rumours popped up, suggesting the Spaniard could make a shock return to Ducati, as part of the Pramac team in place of Miller.

With 2018 Moto2 World Champion Peeco Bagnaia in the first year of a two-year deal, which will see him get a GP20 next year, many dismissed the rumours, however, the Australian revealed yesterday that the there was some validity in the rumours that the former World Champion could return to Ducati.

Despite the uncertainty over his future, Miller remains confident a deal will get done, with Pramac CEO Paolo Campinoti coming to Austria for race day.

“It hit me like a ton of bricks,” said the 24-year-old.

“I found out yesterday, some other people found out earlier, through one way or another. I didn't need to know last weekend obviously, but anyway, I'm not stressed.

“Paolo is on his way here on Sunday, I don't think he'll allow Jorge on his bike, and that makes me happy.”

Despite an unsettling few hours, Miller continued his good form from last weekend where he secured his second podium of 2019 in Brno, with a sixth-place finish, and top Ducati in FP2.

When asked about his pace and being the top Ducati in the afternoon, Miller said: “It's nice, but I actually wanted to go top of the timesheets, because that would've been even funnier.

“I wasn't able to do it, the soft didn't really give me what I wanted, but we were close enough. I mean, we're just out here doing our job, like we do every week. For me it's just extra motivation. You use it as fuel, for sure.”