KTM boss just set Brad Binder a ‘crucial’ target as he fights for his MotoGP future

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KTM’s bike has improved a great deal as the 2025 MotoGP season has progressed, giving them a chance to fight for silverware.

For Pedro Acosta, it has been a particularly encouraging development, but he hasn’t quite been able to compete for his first victory. Meanwhile, teammate Brad Binder has been through a bit of a rough patch, which has been a bit confusing.

The South African rider tends to be one of the most consistent performers on the grid, shown by finishing sixth or higher in the MotoGP standings in each of his last four seasons before 2025. This year, he just hasn’t clicked with KTM’s RC16 bike, which is a concerning development for the future.

Binder could be a victim of KTM ‘dismissals’ if the team is dragged into a company-wide push for savings. After watching him at the last race in Malaysia, Neil Hodgson thinks Binder has ‘lost his way’, lapping far slower than some of his colleagues.

READ MORE: Brad Binder admits Pedro Acosta has shown him one ability he ‘for sure’ must improve

Pit Beirer thinks Brad Binder should be competing for KTM podiums after ‘crucial’ development

Binder came ‘very close’ to losing his factory seat before Tech3’s Maverick Vinales, who was on top form, got injured earlier this season. Otherwise, he might have found himself in new surroundings for the 2026 season.

There is a silver lining to his current predicament, though. Binder will get a new crew chief, who is incredibly highly thought of for 2026, as Phil Marron makes the switch from the World Superbike Championship.

Those two will be keen to get to work and address the worries that he has on his bike. KTM boss Pit Beirer’s ‘crucial’ revelation that his bikes should be competing for podiums now, only heaps pressure on Binder, who hasn’t been near that level for a while now.

“Pedro is showing what’s currently possible when you’re there with full confidence from the start of the event,” Beirer told SPEEDWEEK. “His performance is simply phenomenal. He can attack, ride consistently, and doesn’t make any mistakes.

“As for Enea – he’s once again demonstrated his calibre. From 19th to 7th – that says it all and also shows that the changes to the bike were the right ones for him. The crucial point is: with the performance of everyone in the team, we’ve proven KTM’s current podium-calibre.”

READ MORE: Brad Binder has worked out why he’s so far behind ‘incredible’ KTM teammate Pedro Acosta

How has Brad Binder’s MotoGP form been since the summer break?

Since the summer break, Binder’s form hasn’t been anything electric, but he did manage to produce his best result of the season during an attritional race in Indonesia with fourth place.

Other than that, he hasn’t finished higher than seventh at the other seven events, while teammate Acosta has been on the podium numerous times.

It highlights the gulf between them and shows Binder that he must improve if he wants to be a player in the MotoGP rider market for 2027.

It’s the first big blip in his career, and his response over the next few months will be telling as to whether he will still be around the championship in the long term.