KTM bosses have now chosen between Brad Binder and Maverick Vinales for 2027 Tech3 seat

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KTM want a veteran rider and a young talent at Tech3 next year, which has left them choosing between Brad Binder and Maverick Vinales.

Fabio Di Giannantonio will partner Alex Marquez in an all-new factory line-up in 2027, with Pedro Acosta moving to Ducati. But in a potential lifeline to Binder, KTM extended their deal with satellite Tech3 to ensure they will have four bikes on the grid.

According to Motorpasion Moto, KTM are set to choose Vinales over Binder, which would leave the South African scrambling for one of the few remaining seats elsewhere.

Maverick Vinales’ curious 2027 comment now makes sense after Brad Binder call

Speaking before the Italian Grand Prix, Vinales hinted he was ‘finalising’ a deal to stay at Tech3, having missed out on a factory seat.

Will Brad Binder be on the MotoGP grid in 2027?

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Curiously, he also suggested he could be the only full-time rider to test KTM’s 2027 bike. Enea Bastianini, heavily linked with Trackhouse, and the Ducati-bound Acosta will be blocked from riding the 850cc machine.

It seems as if Vinales inadvertently let slip KTM’s plans for Binder, too. The aforementioned Spanish outlet say they have ‘more faith’ in Top Gun’s ability to ‘achieve results’.

Vinales’ contract contains a one-year extension option, but he could sign a new two-year deal instead. That clause expires on Monday, so this weekend appears decisive.

A direct comparison between Binder and Vinales is difficult given that the latter’s stint at Tech3 has been affected by injury, but he did appear to have a slight edge in the first half of last season.

As for the other seat, the report states that Moto2 ace Senna Agius is the favourite. Agius has also been linked with Trackhouse, but Raul Fernandez’s Sprint win at Mugello should strengthen his prospects of an extension.

If Bastianini joins Fernandez at the American team, then there will be a clear vacancy for Agius next to Vinales. MotoGP bosses want an Australian on the grid for next year’s brand-new race at Adelaide, and Jack Miller’s future is in doubt.