Let's talk MotoGP: Darryn Binder, a year to forget?

We continue our retrospective of each driver's season, from the last to Pecco Bagnaia. To appreciate the performance of our heroes, looking at their place overall is not enough. Thus, we will look at the dynamics, the context, the qualifications, the expectation that the driver in question aroused to judge his season. This opinion remains subjective, and we are curious to see what you think in the comments. Yesterday was the season of Cal Crutchlow was in the spotlight. You can find the corresponding article by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

The case of Darryn Binder is special. A season to forget, really? Let's see it together.

I) The ordeal

Yes, his year 2022 was extremely complicated. The South African competed in all 20 races of the championship, and only scored 12 small dotsEither 0,6 points per race (ppc) average. He is in last position in the championship (24e) if we omit his makeshift teammate Cal Crutchlow. The Briton, in just six races, had already scored 10 points, or 1,7 ppc. The duel between teammates delivered its tough but fair verdict. 4-0 in favor of Cal when both cross the line, and 6-0 in qualifying. Even alongsideAndrea Dovizioso, the results are not much happier, but is it really worth detailing these results? We have to go back to the 2019 season of Karel Abraham to find such a bad balance sheet.

 

 

Beyond the numbers, Darryn seemed completely overwhelmed by the MotoGP level. A fact particularly visible in qualifying; Brad's brother often placed himself last or second to last, removed from the group. It's certain: there was him, and the others.

II) Is he really responsible?

Now that the sad reality is exposed, can we really blame Darryn Binder? He was absolutely not ready for the premier category, everyone suspected that. The truth is that the 2022 recruitment of WithU NWA was, as we predicted, one of the worst in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix. What more could they expect from a Darryn Binder, who didn't even have, on the contrary, Jack Miller, proven anything in Moto3?

Listening to him, Darryn is quite satisfied with this season. His body language in an interview and these words transcribed in the press reveal a peaceful man, who gave his all and tried to adapt as best as possible to a poorly born machine (as if that wasn't enough). In fact, there are some great races to note. We are thinking, for example, of its good performance of Mandalika, 10th in the rain after moving up 13 positions. HAS Sepang, he was on the verge of the top 10, again, after starting last! Unfortunately, a fall put an end to his hopes. He regularly managed to hang on with Remy gardner et Raúl Fernández in the race, ultimately not that impressive (we will study their cases in the following days).

 

 

Besides, Andrea Dovizioso didn't do much better, given his level, with the YZR-M1. There is not only bad in his season, far from it. At least Binder will have learned, and we sincerely hope that he puts these lessons into practice in Moto2, the category he will join in 2023.

Conclusion:

To say that Darryn Binder had even a decent season would be a lie. But its 2022 financial year betrays only one thing: the poverty of recruitment of WithU Yamaha RNF, undoubtedly the least inspired of these last 20 years. Difficult to expect anything from such a transfer. Getting back into Moto2 and gaining experience is the best thing to do. One day, perhaps, we will see Darryn again at the highest level, because a season does not determine a career. Jack Miller, the example to follow, had a disastrous rookie year in the big leagues (19th in 2015), and that did not prevent him from becoming one of the best MotoGP riders a few years later.

What did you think of Little Brother Binder's season? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport