Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder could be facing his final season in MotoGP in 2026 as his struggles at KTM last season have put his future in doubt.
The South African was KTM’s top rider before Pedro Acosta joined the factory team in 2025. Last year, the Spaniard usurped him, beating Binder in every qualifying and scoring 12 podiums, including Sprints, to his teammate’s zero.
Brad Binder thinks qualifying was his biggest weakness in 2025, change his mind
Binder suffered his worst season since his debut year in 2020. Having not won a race since 2021, and with Acosta dominating him, KTM are now said to be looking elsewhere.
KTM are open to replacing Binder with a younger rider in 2027, with Acosta looking bound for Ducati at the end of his contract. If he cannot perform on the bike in 2026, then the 30-year-old could be out of the factory team, and indeed, MotoGP altogether.
Guenther Steiner could pick his own riders for Tech3 by 2027, it could be bad news for Brad Binder
As reports suggested in 2025, the South African rider might have a saving grace if he loses his KTM seat. Binder was supposed to be dropped to Tech3 midway through the season for Maverick Vinales, but the Spaniard’s injury woes denied this.
Given this, it would be plausible to say that Binder could join Tech3 in 2027 if he loses his factory seat. He could stay within the KTM family and provide valuable data and experience for the manufacturer under the new regulations.
However, that might not be certain. According to a report from Speedweek, new Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner could be set to make swift changes at the French team.
There are ‘many indications’ that Tech3 could take their riders ‘into its own hands’, hinting that Steiner would be free to sign his own riders by 2027. This could be bad news for Binder, as the former Haas F1 boss may not want him in the team.
Steiner could be Binder’s boss at KTM down the line, as the 60-year-old is planning to take over the whole operation. But if the South African underperforms in 2026, that will not be the case at either the factory team or Tech3, as he will likely be off the grid.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Guenther Steiner’s Tech3 will already have a different line-up in 2027
Steiner kept Vinales and Enea Bastianini for 2026, citing no intentions to drop the pair when he bought Tech3 from Herve Poncharal last year.
However, given the reports, that line-up could be totally different. In fact, it already will be, as KTM have chosen Vinales to replace Acosta as he looks set to join Ducati.
A promoter has been coming for Vinales after a strong 2025 showing. Despite numerous injuries and finishing 18th in the standings, he was the first rider to adapt to the RC16 and become a reference for his KTM colleagues.
How much of an impact will Jorge Lorenzo have on Maverick Vinales in 2026?
His experience will be vital for the team, and he is looking to have a strong 2026 campaign. The 31-year-old will be working closely with former rival and MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo.
Lorenzo wants Vinales to be KTM’s ‘lead rider’ in 2026. He has set the expectations high for his fellow Spaniard as he looks set to get a factory seat in 2027.
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