Brad Binder is one of four drivers who don't have to worry about their future until the end of this year. Indeed, with Morbidelli who has a Yamaha contract until 2023, and Bagnaia for Ducati like Marc Marquez with Honda who have a lease until 2024, the South African still has two years ahead of him before thinking about a new signing. . To hear him say, it will be for a renewal at KTM because he feels so good in Mattighofen. And given its results, the Austrian brand would be well advised to reassure him and prove him right…
Brad Binder is a pure product of the sector KTM the relevance of which has been verified at each stage taken up to MotoGP. In Moto3, the title arrived in 2016, in Moto2, the status of vice-world champion was acquired and since he has been in MotoGP, he has achieved success on three occasions on an RC16 which he is the only one to position regularly at the forefront since the start of this season. A regularity which identifies him as a candidate for the title. Until Austin, he was holding on to second place overall.
Before starting the formidable European campaign, Brad Binder is sixth in the provisional ranking, 19 lengths behind the leader Enea Bastianini Gresini Ducati rider. But he points out this: “ Normally the first race is always a bit difficult for me. And as soon as I return to Europe, I start to improve or get into the thick of things ". However, this time, he is already in the middle of the said subject… “ I'm really happy with how things went in Qatar. I immediately felt strong and was able to finish second, so a podium at the start of the season was great “, he remembers. “ In Indonesia too, things went very well. We were strong all weekend. I had my best qualifying session in MotoGP. Unfortunately there were small problems in the race but we still managed to finish eighth, so a very good result for us, especially in wet conditions ". We will recall that he did this Grand Prix in Mandalika with a motorcycle with an attitude correction blocked from the start…
After finishing sixth in Argentina, the final race weekend in Austin was a mixed bag. But Binder is convinced that he can still be strong on many tracks: “ after the early successes that were celebrated this season, everyone in the team is now even more motivated to continue improving », rejoices the pilot of 26 years. “ I'm very happy with the hard work KTM did last season, and they gave us a really competitive package ».
Brad Binder: “ Francesco Guidotti is an amazing guy«
When asked about this year's KTM RC16, Binder sees a slightly different approach compared to previous years: “ we just work a little more precisely on what we need instead of constantly trying new things. I think we have already done a good job and found a solid base to work on most of the tracks. But of course we have to go back to Europe and a few other tracks to confirm that it really is better. But my general feeling is that now I am able to be faster than last year, especially on a lap ».
Brad Binder add on Motorsport-total that winter recruitment within the staff also had its effect: “ Francesco Guidotti is an amazing guy “, he says about the new team manager who was previously at Pramac. “ He is a really nice person who brings real positive energy to the team. I think that, on the one hand, he is a very serious person, and on the other hand, he establishes personal connections with everyone in the team. I think he certainly brings a lot for us and it's a pleasure to have him on the team ", said Binder.
He ends with his situation and the outlook, which should not give his manager any headaches any more than his employer… “ I feel at home with KTM. I'm happy with KTM. I've been riding for them since 2015 and we won a world championship together, fighting for a Moto2 title and narrowly missing out. In MotoGP I got my first victory with KTM and of course their first success. I really feel at home with KTM. I love life here and also the fact that we have the same goal, which is to win the championship one day » he finishes.
