Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder is facing a lot of question marks over his future at KTM, ahead of entering the final year of his contract with the Austrian squad during the 2026 MotoGP season.
The 30-year-old has been a pillar of the project in Munderfing since 2020 when he made his MotoGP debut with their factory outfit. Binder has even been a part of the KTM family since he joined KTM Ajo for the 2015 Moto3 season, for whom he rode in Moto2 from 2017-2019.
But the exit door at the KTM factory is now slightly ajar for the South African after his worst campaign since the 2020 MotoGP season. Binder failed to get a single podium finish for the first time in his premier class career this year, despite teammate Pedro Acosta reaching five.
Binder also finished this season only 11th in the riders’ standings with 155 points, matching his worst-ever placement from his rookie season in 2020 when he earned 87 points. Acosta was the top KTM rider in 2025, as he secured fourth place in the standings with 307 points.
Pit Beirer confirms KTM ‘want to keep’ their current riders for 2027, including Brad Binder
Acosta beat Binder in all 22 qualifying sessions in 2025, as well, after moving into the factory team after spending his rookie campaign with Tech3 last year. And Binder is now the subject of uncomfortable talks at KTM, with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Will Brad Binder still be a KTM rider in 2027?
But motor sport director Pit Beirer has confirmed that KTM “want to keep” Binder, as well as Acosta and Tech3 stars Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini, for the start of MotoGP’s 2027 regulations. All four riders have factory KTM contracts that will also lapse at the end of 2026.
Beirer told SPEEDWEEK: “We want to keep all four riders for 2027. The current situation with our testing structure and the starting point for the 850cc bike will help us a little.
“Perhaps not for long, but it will take a while for the top riders to get a feel for the status of the new projects.”
Pit Beirer knows Pedro Acosta ‘isn’t interested’ in how much money KTM can pay him
KTM will not force any riders on Tech3, but appreciate what Vinales and Bastianini achieved in 2025 after joining their satellite team. Vinales’ injury cost him a chance to replace Binder at KTM, as well, as KTM bosses had considered demoting the latter to Tech3 earlier in 2025.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
What would you change on our dream 2027 grid?
The priority in Munderfing is to retain Acosta, having seen the 21-year-old emerge as their best rider in 2025. However, it is said that KTM are resigned to Acosta leaving at the end of his contract in 2026, with the Spaniard one of the most sought-after riders in the paddock.
Beirer hopes that Acosta gives KTM enough time to prove their potential ahead of the 2027 MotoGP regulations, which will see the premier class move from 1,000cc to 850cc engines. He also knows that Acosta will prioritise a competitive bike over whatever wage he can get.
Beirer continued: “I also think Pedro is smart enough to take a very close look at our 2027 project. The fact is, Pedro isn’t interested in how much money we can pay him in 2027. He wants to know if he’ll get a bike that will win races.”
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