As still happens too often, Darryn Binder missed out on qualifying for the Thai Grand Prix.
We will come back to the reasons for his generally disappointing positions on the grid but, in any case, the CIP-Green Power driver was in 22nd position at the end of the first day of testing, then obtained 25th place on the grid. starting point following a new penalty.
As usual, the South African then made a splendid comeback which took him to 6th position, in the wheel ofAron Canet, before passing it. The driver of Max Biaggi then managed to overtake but suffered a new attack from Darryn Binder, with a contact this time, which sent him to the mat after having caused him to fall John mcphee et Tatsuki suzuki.
A racing event simply punished by a ride through, but which perpetuated the number 40's reputation as an aggressive driver and triggered severe criticism against him.
Tatsuki suzuki, live, on Sky Sport: “At first I thought it was McPhee's mistake, then I saw the replay and Binder is still the only idiot, he doesn't care about the others. Or we're doing a race, where we're trying to kill someone? We play sports, there must be respect for others. We can't send others to the mat like that. You can't just throw yourself in and hope you don't fall. That's not racing, that's stupid. »
Paolo Simoncelli generally calls for more severe sanctions: “Without rules, we are lost. This is why Moto3 needs stricter and safer rules that leave no room for doubt or perplexity, and that curb kamikaze riders. During the last Grand Prix, we saw how much of a team's work can be reduced to nothing in a matter of seconds. Tatsuki saw the possibility of a podium collapse with his bike, and no one will give Canet the chance to win the World Championship again. This is not a game and can become dangerous. I will never tire of repeating that they must have harsher sentences. »
Aron Canet is somewhat less virulent: “You have to be careful, he is a very aggressive driver. I'm someone who brakes very late and Binder did the same thing when he got to this place. In this stupid way he threw three pilots to the ground. I didn't talk to him. But these are Moto3 races, these are things that can happen. It's a shame. »
Darryn binder was sanctioned because of contact with Aron Canet, and it was justified. He also went to apologize to the 3 pilots concerned.
But let's try to understand why this boy, who is very friendly and displays the cool attitude of a Californian surfer in the paddock, becomes a real terror once behind the bars of his Moto3.
We won't really get into the KTM/Honda debate because some riders from the Austrian brand are doing very well, even if they are generally of a smaller size than that of Darryn Binder. Moreover, his fifth best time achieved in the race in Thailand clearly shows that he is one of the best, even on its KTM which concedes 7 km/h to the best !
But, in our eyes, the most important factor is undoubtedly the driving style of the 21-year-old…
Darryn Binder is undoubtedly the current Moto3 rider who brakes the hardest. With helicopter views, this is particularly obvious and allows him to very often recover a few places at the end of the straight. This is a real advantage in the race because the drivers he has overtaken, who brake earlier and generally have better cornering speed, cannot exploit the latter and remain stuck behind the South African.
This explains both the latter's splendid comebacks in the race, but also his modest performances in qualifying, where passing speed, acceleration and aspiration are the key factors that the KTM rider often lacks.
Darryn Binder undoubtedly has talent and is not shy, but his driving is still very typical of “trapper braking”. If he could modify it at least a little during qualifying, it is likely that we would then see him fighting for the lead from the first laps, thus avoiding comebacks which, as beautiful as they are, always involve risks and wear tires prematurely.
Between his brother Brad who will be arriving in MotoGP next year and his team manager Alain Bronec, the rider is well supported, and we will therefore continue to observe him to detect this desired trigger...
