Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder is looking to put 2025 behind him and return to form with KTM in 2026.
The South African rider endured what is arguably his worst season in MotoGP last year, finishing 11th in the championship. Binder was whitewashed 22-0 by Pedro Acosta in qualifying in 2025 as he struggled to extract performance from the RC16.
Predict the order of the KTM riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
Now, in 2026, he is determined to get back on track and try to compete at the front of the grid more consistently. The KTM rider has also been making changes behind the scenes, with Binder now working with Phil Marron as his new crew chief.
Binder wants to ‘enjoy riding’ KTM’s bike in 2026 after enduring huge difficulties in 2025. After testing the RC16 at Sepang, he seems to be making progress.
Brad Binder says the feeling on KTM’s 2026 bike is ‘significantly better’
Speaking after testing in Malaysia via Speedweek, the South African gave his overall assessment: “Towards the end, I managed to put together the parts I liked. It felt better with them. I couldn’t put in a fast lap, but I felt more comfortable on the bike.
“All in all, I’m quite satisfied with the work we did together in the garage. Of course, I would have liked to have gone significantly faster, but I have a better feeling now. Now I hope that this confidence translates into better lap times.”
Binder did not have time to run a race simulation in Malaysia, but he says that he will focus on that at the next test in Thailand. The 30-year-old is also determined to improve his qualifying form, and he is heading in the right direction.
“I still have work to do. But my feeling was significantly better,” he said. “We can definitely improve our turning a bit more.
“I have a much better understanding now. The situation is generally better than last year. Now the guys have some time off until Thailand. There we can continue working on building something.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Will Brad Binder be out of KTM at the end of 2026?
Binder will need to find form in 2026 if he is to keep his MotoGP career alive. With the MotoGP rider market already active, he faces dropping off the grid at the end of the year.
KTM are open to replacing Binder with a young talent in 2027. Rumours are already suggesting that Maverick Vinales will join the factory KTM team next year, and with Alex Marquez also linked with the Austrian brand, Binder could be out of the team.
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Binder could also lose his last saving grace in MotoGP, as Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner will be free to choose his own riders in 2027. It could be bad news for the South African as the former F1 team principal may favour another talent.
Binder is running out of time to save his career. He will want his current feeling on the RC16 to stay for the season as he looks to find form at KTM.
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