Marco Bezzecchi
Michael Laverty feels KTM star Brad Binder has looked the “best we’ve seen in years” during practice at the 2026 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix after he secured a spot in Q2.
Binder has endured a torrid time ever since Michelin introduced the super-grippy rear tyre back in the middle of the 2024 season. The 30-year-old is even now fighting for his future on the grid ahead of the 850cc regulations era next year as a result of his regular struggles.
Last season marked the worst year of Binder’s MotoGP career, as he ranked only 11th in the standings with 155 points to his name. KTM have not seen the best that Binder has to offer so this term, either, with the South African currently 13th in the standings after five rounds.
Pedro Acosta leads a very tight practice session at the Catalan Grand Prix… Who will be joining the top 10 in Q2? ⏱️
Michael Laverty is ‘happy’ to see Brad Binder looking fast at the Catalan Grand Prix
So, Laverty was “happy” watching Binder excel around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in practice this Friday, before the KTM rider even secured an automatic place in Q2. Teammate Pedro Acosta set the pace in practice at the Catalan GP but Binder was just 0.070s shy in P3.
Binder showed promise throughout practice before he posted a personal-best lap time of a 1:38.780. The two-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner going early with his flying run risked him falling down the order, but he continued to produce strong times to bring a smile to Laverty.
READ MORE: The best moments of Brad Binder’s MotoGP career
“I’m happy! We all love Brad,” Laverty said on TNT Sports 2 (15/05, 14:43). “[He is] sat inside the top five here, we’re getting into the last 15 minutes, there will be a flurry of time attacks.
“But much better from the South African. He’s in touch with Bastianini. He’s right in touch with a Q2 spot, and boy, does he need it.
Laverty added (14:57): “This is a better Brad Binder Friday. The best we’ve seen in a couple of years now!”
Binder’s place in Q2 at the Catalan GP marks only his second Q2 outing of the 2026 MotoGP season so far. The KTM rider had also not made it into a Q2 session since the opening round in Thailand, when he qualified in P11 and finished the Sprint in P6 and the Grand Prix in P7.
Seventh place in the season-opening Thailand GP even remains Binder’s only top-10 Grand Prix finish so far this term. He will now hope to convert his strong pace throughout practice at the Catalan GP into a strong result this Sunday, as the South African battles for his career.
It is now believed that KTM have signed Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez for 2027, as they move to replace the Ducati-bound Acosta and potentially Binder. Tech3 are likely to remain a satellite KTM team in 2027, which might prove to be Binder’s lifeline in the field.
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