Brad Binder is a KTM official who wants to point out to us ahead of next weekend's French Grand Prix that appearances are deceiving. Thus, with regard to the Austrian RC16, the raw results provide a disappointing assessment after four races. And indeed, the Austrians hoped for much more from this start to the campaign. But in corrected data from the factory which is working hard to adapt to the new Michelin allocation, it is less serious than it seems. The South African, who showed it in Portimao, would have wanted to confirm it in Jerez. But he lacked success...
Brad Binder don't be brooding as an official of the orange brand. Even if, at the moment, the RC16 is struggling to reach its best level. This is due to a type of tire that is no longer found in the range of the single manufacturer in MotoGP who revised his allocation. The tires are also a real subject for the driver of 25 years. He has already criticized the concept of tire preheating put in place. However, he makes do and, above all, he praises the energy put into resolving all these difficulties by the factory. KTM. A work which, according to him, is already bearing fruit.
His top 5 Portimao was also a signal and Jerez, the winner of Brno in 2020 thinks that an RC16 could do better than the eleventh place acquired by his teammate Miguel Oliveira. Unfortunately, he crashed twice during the race. A heartbreak for the 3 Moto2016 World Champion who was fourth during the warm-up. Which augured good prospects: “ the medium front tire, which was the hardest compound at Jerez, worked very well ", said the factory driver Red Bull KTM. " I felt really good about that. I never had the risk of sliding the front wheel throughout the entire weekend, until the second lap of turn 2 of the race. So far, everything looked pretty good. The front tire was great. It's just a shame there was no result. ».
So, Brad Binder don't worry about Le Mans and a Grand Prix of France which will take place on May 16. “ We found good solutions for our motorcycle when Michelin tire compounds are a little softer ". Good news that has been expected since the first Grand Prix of the season. Proof that we have worked tirelessly at the Mattighofen factory which will field four more RC16s in the category until 2026. Indeed, last Sunday, the manufacturer confirmed the extension of its collaboration with the Tech3 team ofHervé Poncharal.
Brad Binder: “150 technicians are working at more than 110%”
« In general, we have always worked very well together at KTM »Says Brad Binder. " We always share all our data. Everyone knows what situation another driver is in at the same time on the track. But there are often situations like in Doha, where each driver tries something different if something goes wrong. KTM is definitely an incredibly hard working group. They won't give up until they're where they want to be. I'm really lucky to be able to be part of this team. ».
Binder appreciates the mentality of the Austrians: “ there are now around 150 technicians in KTM's MotoGP department. That's a lot of people all giving 110 percent. We all work a lot, we all want the best. Unfortunately, you always have days like in Jerez, where things don't go well and you feel bad as pilots. We really had to put everything together. But this time it didn't work on Sunday. We hope for the future. The next chance comes at Le Mans » Binder finishes on speedweek.
