Brad Binder battled one ‘terrible’ KTM problem after contact with MotoGP rival at the Austrian Grand Prix

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KTM’s Brad Binder enjoyed one of the better results of his MotoGP campaign so far at the Austrian Grand Prix.

In fact, his team had a cracking home outing, as all three bikes that ran in Spielberg finished in the top seven. Overall, it was their best MotoGP result of the season.

Most encouragingly for Binder, he showed genuine pace all weekend and looked like he could be a threat for the top five.

The KTM rider was slightly unfortunate in Sunday’s race, but he can take confidence from the event rolling into the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Binder left Neil Hodgson ‘completely baffled’ with an impressive Austrian Grand Prix overtake on Francesco Bagnaia in the closing stages. It was a bold move.

It’s a contrast to the rest of 2025, which has left KTM ‘not at all satisfied’ with Binder and his performances on track. They expected more from him.

READ MORE: Brad Binder describes his 2025 season with KTM in three damning words amid his worst MotoGP campaign to date

Brad Binder battled a ‘terrible’ KTM problem after Raul Fernandez contact at the Austrian Grand Prix

Journalist Mat Oxley believes that Binder is no longer KTM’s ‘golden boy’, just five years on from helping them to earn their first premier class victory.

In the past, he could be counted on to always finish in the top eight of the championship standings, but this year, he’s on for 11th.

A far better result awaited him in Spielberg, had he not been subject to a botched overtake from Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez, who hit him early on.

Speaking to SPEEDWEEK, he revealed how the damage he received from the contact led to a ‘terrible’ race, as he lost part of his front wing.

“It was an incredibly long race,” he said. “My start was poor; I had no forward momentum, but I overtook a few drivers straight away and ended up in fifth. Then Raul touched me in the final corner, breaking off my front wing.

“I then had to drive for more than 20 laps without one front wing. It was terrible—it was a miserably long race for me. The bike kept pulling straight ahead before the corners. It took a few laps until I had sorted things out a bit.”

READ MORE: Brad Binder pinpoints the ‘huge’ KTM problem he faced that ruined his Czech Grand Prix

Why Brad Binder hasn’t faced much pressure on his KTM ride yet

For the rest of 2025, Binder effectively has a free pass to trial with his bike and find out what works for 2026.

As with the other three KTM riders, his contract is up at the end of next year, and with no confirmation over their participation for the new regulations, he could be left searching for another ride.

It’s imperative that he has a really strong 2026 if he wants to remain on the grid, otherwise, he may be reduced to sitting in a test role.

The South African rider just needs to find a sweet spot with the RC16 that he’s comfortable with. Teammate Pedro Acosta has found it, and now he must follow suit.