Marco Bezzecchi
Brad Binder’s mission to stay in MotoGP beyond 2026 could be about to get harder, as MotoGP teams have agreed to ban ride height devices, which he ‘loves’, at race starts from Silverstone.
MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, formerly Dorna, have been addressing safety concerns in the sport following a multitude of serious accidents. Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco suffered devastating crashes in Catalunya, with both still in rehabilitation.
The ride height device was blamed for Zarco’s crash, and the issue was again raised at the Hungarian GP. Jorge Martin wiped out four riders at the first turn, with his start device being blamed for the incident by Jack Miller, as well as the Balaton Park layout and Martin himself.
What are your thoughts on MotoGP’s latest safety rule change?
In addition to the ride-height device restrictions, grid rows will be spaced out by an extra three metres
Brad Binder ‘loves’ his ride height device at KTM, but now it’s about to be banned
To mitigate safety issues, MSEG are looking to expand the distance between rows on the grid by three metres from the German GP. From the British GP, MotoGP teams have agreed to ban ride height devices at race starts – they will be banned completely from 2027.
This needs to be sent off to the Grand Prix Commission for approval, but it seems like a formality at this stage. But it would be damaging for Binder, as according to journalist Adam Wheeler, he ‘loves’ the start device on his KTM RC16.
Talking about the Hungarian GP on the Paddock Pass Podcast, Wheeler said: “The other big talking point, of course, was the first corner and the ejection from the race of the two world championship front runners in Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
“It’s a hot topic at the moment, isn’t it? On a weekend where we had some news or some rumours about a new grid format surfacing in MotoGP.
“Potentially also the ride height devices, there was talk of them being banned around the Grand Prix of France in Le Mans. Eventually, that idea was shelved by the teams, not so much by the riders.
“It was very curious, actually, Brad Binder saying that he loves his start device on his Red Bull KTM RC16 and he reckons that the crew have got it configured perfectly. But he says if he has to live with it being removed, then he will.”
Will Brad Binder be on the MotoGP grid in 2027?
Judging by these statements, should the ride height device be banned this season, it could make Binder’s challenge to stay on the grid much harder.
The South African rider is out of contract in 2026 and looks to be out of the factory KTM team next year, with Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio joining in 2027. Binder’s options are limited, and he is running out of time to secure his seat.
Qualifying has been a huge problem, and he has been struggling to fight for consistent top results. With ride height devices gone, it could make his job to stay on the grid almost impossible, with KTM reportedly already telling Binder he is leaving in 2027.
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