Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder is a two-time Grand Prix winner in the premier class and has double figures for podiums. But ahead of what may be his final season, he looks back on his career with a degree of regret.
Binder was Moto3 champion in 2016 and finished in the top three twice in Moto2 before reaching the top level. Binder memorably won on just his third start at the Czech GP.
As he admitted when reflecting on that Brno win last year, Binder thought his career would pan out a lot differently.
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A report this week suggested 2026 could be Binder’s last year. It will be his seventh season with the KTM factory squad.
Brad Binder says he’s ‘never been a great qualifier’ in MotoGP
Binder’s run of four consecutive top-six finishes came to an end in 2025. In fact, he slipped out of the top 10 altogether for the first time since his rookie season.
The South African didn’t score a single podium in either format, while teammate Pedro Acosta notched 12. Acosta also whitewashed Binder in qualifying, a somewhat embarrassing statistic for an experienced rider.
While Binder did outscore the other RC16 riders – Enea Bastianini and the injury-hit Maverick Vinales – his weakness on a Saturday made it difficult to score truly eye-catching results on a Sunday.
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In an interview with Crash, Binder admitted that this was a long-term problem.
“I’ve never been a great qualifier, that’s clear,” he said. “But this year has been worse than ever as far as qualifying is concerned.
“The biggest thing for me has been whenever I go to put in a big effort, that’s when my problems really show up. I need to find a way to be fast while putting in ‘low G’ riding almost.
“Those two things go against each other a little bit, and that’s what I’ve been struggling with.”
Asked if the rules should be changed so that more riders can progress from Q1 to Q2, he said: “It’s something you’ve got to deal with. That’s the format at the end of the day.
“You’ve just got to try and make it work to your advantage. It hasn’t worked in mine, so we’re going to have to try and make it work somehow.”
Brad Binder’s qualifying record against his MotoGP teammates
Binder was knocked out in Q1 16 times last year, which ranked him second on the grid behind Miguel Oliveira. Oliveira (17 exits) lost his seat at the end of the year, as did Somkiat Chantra (also 16).
Binder beat Jack Miller over one lap in both of their seasons together at KTM, while his battles with Oliveira in 2021 and 2022 were evenly matched. He lost out to Pol Espargaro when he was a rookie.
After a long-term partnership with Andres Madrid, Binder is working with Phil Marron, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s former World Superbikes crew chief, in 2026.
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