Triple MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo has piped up in defence of the riders that were skewered by Jack Miller’s comments urging them to ‘shut the f**k up’ and stop complaining.

The Australian sent a ripple of controversy through the MotoGP paddock following the German event at the Sachsenring last weekend, describing riders who air their grievances in the media as ‘princesses’.

Though Miller didn’t name any one rider specifically, it was broadly presumed he was referring to Marc Marquez. However, follow up comments made ahead of the MotoGP Dutch TT at Assen this weekend saw him broaden the scope of his finger pointing to other riders.

Either way, the abrasive tone has irritated some, including ex-MotoGP rider Lorenzo, who despite describing Miller as ‘very funny’ called the comments ‘not very likeable’.

“We know how Jack is, when he speaks! Sometimes he is very funny,” Lorenzo told MotoGP.com.

“Sometimes the comments he makes about other people or other teams are not very likeable, especially for the ones who receive it.

“Everyone complains, everyone is angry, everyone is hot. It’s not the case that some complain and some do not complain.

“If you see the history, every rider complains on one day or another. We have to respect other riders.”

>>> 2023 MotoGP World Championship standings <<<

Jack Miller MotoGP Taxis is out of business

In other news, Miller has revealed he has been forced to put his sideline 'dinky' 'company' out of business after drawing the ire of stewards at Assen.

For those not fluent in Australian slang, 'dinky' refers to the pick-up taxi service Miller is often found offering to riders trudging their way back to the pit-lane following an on-track issue.

On this occasion the KTM Factory Racing rider stopped to give Johann Zarco a lift in P1 as he walked up the entry to the pit-lane after the Frenchman had dropped his Pramac Ducati at the penultimate corner.

However, though the service is a popular draw on social media, Miller revealed after Friday Practice that - much to his bemusement - he has been reminded he is not allowed to offer it.

"Bloody stewards sent me a message, well sent the team a message afterwards saying that we're not actually allowed to dinky anybody, even if it is in the pit-lane during a live session. Rather stupid if you ask me, but anyway...