Brad Binder thinks a ‘changing point’ may finally have arrived at KTM after ‘really hard’ 2025 season

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After spending the majority of the season on the back foot to his KTM teammate, Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder is hopeful that his result at the Grand Prix of Indonesia is the signal of a ‘changing point’ in his woes with the Austrian constructor.

The South African rider is currently in the midst of one of his worst seasons in the premier class, but his season-best result of P4 at the most recent round of racing in Mandalika may be the start of a turnaround for him.

Binder has been hampered by chattering issues on his KTM, an issue that was largely unexpected by engineers at the factory outfit. Despite thinking they fixed the issue during an in-season test at Misano, the issue struck again at the following race in Japan.

However, a last-minute change in setup on the front end of Binder’s KTM saw him find some good pace under racing conditions as he took the chequered flag just over a second away from snatching a podium from Alex Marquez.

READ MORE: Brad Binder saved Marc Marquez from an ‘even worse’ injury with warning to Mandalika bosses

Brad Binder hopes his fourth place at the Grand Prix of Indonesia is a ‘changing point’ for his MotoGP struggles

Patience was the key for Binder in Indonesia after struggling in Saturday’s Sprint race, which saw him finish just outside of the points-paying positions in 10th place.

Speaking to Motorsport.com about his ride at the Lombok-based circuit, Binder highlighted the relief that came with the result in Sunday’s race.

“I think it’s a special place for sure,” Binder said, before adding, “but I really hope that it’s a changing point for me because I’ve had a really, really, really hard season.

“It’s good to finish fourth again; it was great to fight with the boys. But it’s also very special out here, super low grip levels, funny tyres. Let’s see when we get back to Europe.”

Binder is contracted to KTM until the end of 2026, having spent the entirety of his career in Grand Prix motorcycle racing since 2015 within the reins of the Austrian constructor’s stable.

The South African has been a staple of the team since his promotion to the premier class in 2020, but has found it difficult to set up a championship challenge due to the inferior KTM machinery.

READ MORE: Brad Binder’s biggest problem at KTM is obvious as he lags behind MotoGP rookies in vital area

Brad Binder also admitted to not having ‘fun’ in MotoGP this season with KTM

On the other side of the KTM garage, Acosta is absolutely flying in his sophomore season in the premier class.

The 21-year-old is currently fifth in the riders’ standings, with an outside shot of benefiting from Francesco Bagnaia’s woes to steal third place from the Italian in the closing rounds of the season.

Binder is obviously aware of his teammate’s superiority in the current campaign, and it’s evident in his assessment of his happiness during the term.

“Lately, it’s not fun when you’re racing at the back, and obviously, I don’t want to be up there, but it is what it is,” the 30-year-old continued in his interview with Motorsport.com.

“The reality is that that is the speed we have at the moment and the pace we have, and we just need to really strive to be better and go forward.”

With 2026 being the final year of the current spec of regulations in the premier class, the South African may have one eye on 2027 for when he can finally put up a strong title fight for his maiden MotoGP title.