Here is the press release from the Red Bull KTM Ajo team:
Brad Binder and the team Red Bull KTM Garlic renewed their contract at the German Grand Prix, and will race together in Moto2 during the 2019 season. This will be the South African's third year in the intermediate category, and he will try to fight for the top places. He first signed with the team's Moto3 structure in 2015, and together they became 2016 world champions before starting in Moto2 last year.
Binder will thus continue to progress as a driver and write the history of the team. Now sixth in the Championship, he competed in 59 races under Aki Ajo over four seasons. He has 7 victories in Moto3 as well as 14 podiums (3 in Moto2 and 11 in Moto3) and 6 pole positions in Moto3. His dominance in the small category in 2016 saw him title four races before the end.
This renewal for 2019 means that Red Bull, KTM, Ajo Motorsport and Brad Binder will aim for the forefront in Moto2, where the South African has shown his potential with excellent performances.
Pete Beirer : “We can see that Brad is not an out-of-control, out-of-bounds driver, but instead always wants to understand what he's doing. I think he's ready to take a step up in Moto2, and it will probably come soon. I'm really happy that we continue together and it shows that we want to keep our drivers because they are like our children. »
Aki Ajo : “I'm really happy to announce that Brad will be staying with us next year. From the beginning we have had an excellent relationship. This is our fourth season together and next year will be our fifth. It's the first time that a driver has stayed with us for so many years and I'm very happy about it. He is a very easy driver to work with and I am sure he is one of the most diligent in the paddock. He always wants to improve and that is the most important thing to mature as a driver.
With this excellent news we have finalized our pair for next season. There will be many challenges but with Brad and Jorge [Martín], we are sure to be ready to face them and succeed. »
Brad Binder : “The new contract we signed this weekend is fantastic. I'm really happy to continue with Red Bull KTM Ajo next year and spend my fifth year with them! We haven't finished what we started in Moto2 and still have progress to make and it motivates me to have the support of an entire factory. I really want to continue growing as a driver alongside them and achieve great results. The goal will still be to fight for the top places and I think we can achieve that. This year we had a difficult start, but I know we can be ahead for the rest of the season. Now it's time to continue working hard and progress GP after GP. »
