Marco Bezzecchi
Tech3 looked to be Brad Binder’s last saving grace for his MotoGP season, but that door now looks to have closed.
The South African rider is set to leave KTM at the end of his contract in 2026. Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio have reportedly signed for the team in an all-new rider pairing.
Pedro Acosta has already confirmed his KTM exit, with the Shark heading to Ducati. But his teammate has not been as fortunate on the MotoGP rider market and has been struggling to secure a seat for 2027.
Who should fill the 2027 satellite seats?
This is what it's looking like, based on the rumours
Brad Binder is no longer in consideration for a Tech3 seat in 2027
With KTM out of the question and manufacturers and satellite teams looking at other riders, Tech3 was Binder’s last chance to remain on the grid next season. He was linked with Guenther Steiner’s team, but it looks as though they have moved on.
A report from Motorsport Espana lists all the confirmed and expected rider transfers for the 2027 season. It notes the potential riders in contention for the Tech3 seats, with Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini’s contracts expiring in 2026.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Brad Binder from career stats to wife
Tech3 want an experienced rider to partner with a rookie, and Vinales is one of the riders fighting for that first seat. The other is Luca Marini, who is set to leave Honda alongside Joan Mir to make way for Fabio Quartararo and either David Alonso or Diogo Moreira.
As for the second seat, Tech3 are ‘negotiating with Senna Agius‘ to move up from Moto2, with the series’ championship leader, Manu Gonzalez, also in contention for the spot.
Binder has been taken off the French team’s shortlist, which likely means he will be out of MotoGP at the end of the 2026 season.
Some seismic moves have been made in MotoGP for 2027! What has been the most shocking rider transfer?
The South African has been struggling for consistency and top results for some time. Acosta has dominated him since joining KTM in 2025, with Binder only grabbing three top-10 finishes thus far in 2026.
Binder is having ‘no fun’ battling for P10 in MotoGP, and KTM are now looking down a different path as his results have not improved. Tech3 seemingly have little faith either, as Vinales, Marini, Agius and Gonzalez are listed as the four riders fighting for seats.
This leaves the 30-year-old needing to pursue other opportunities. The Motorsport Espana notes that he would welcome the idea of moving to World Superbikes and continuing his career there.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
