Brad Binder looks set to leave MotoGP when his contract at KTM expires at the end of 2026, and he only has himself to blame for Liberty Media not stepping in to save him.
Binder has been the figurehead of KTM’s MotoGP project ever since his premier class debut with the Austrian squad in 2020. The 30-year-old has even been on KTM’s books since 2015 while still competing in Moto3, but his recent struggles have tempted the team to move on.
KTM will field an all-new factory line-up next year, having signed Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio to replace Binder and the Ducati-bound Pedro Acosta. KTM are also expected to agree with Tech3 for their satellite outfit to replace Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.
Finish the sentence: In 2027, Brad Binder will be racing for …
Brad Binder’s failure to sell himself meant even Liberty Media couldn’t save his MotoGP career
Binder is a two-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner with 11 podiums from his 125 race starts so far. Yet no MotoGP teams are believed to be interested in the South African, who is instead starting to explore a transfer to the World Superbike Championship for the 2027 campaign.
READ MORE: The best moments of Brad Binder’s MotoGP career
Reports suggest that Binder is determined to ride a Ducati in World Superbikes next season, either in their factory team or for an independent outfit like Marc VDS. It has also been said that BMW are monitoring Binder, but the German giant would rather sign Manuel Gonzalez.
Yet had Binder done a better job selling himself by promoting his own brand in recent years, he may then have found a home away from KTM elsewhere in the MotoGP paddock. Liberty Media is desperate for MotoGP to boast native English-speaking riders to help promote the series, but Binder’s lack of market appeal meant even Liberty did not act to help save him.
Liberty Media is desperate for MotoGP riders to help sell the series more than they already do, as increasing MotoGP’s visibility will boost revenues. It even formed a key aspect in the championship’s negotiations with the constructors about a new collective commercial deal.
Jack Miller has long been Liberty Media’s chosen rider in English language markets, and was said to have got help from MotoGP’s owners as he fought to save his premier class career in 2025. Miller replaced Cal Crutchlow as the most outspoken English speaker on the MotoGP grid, and continues to be a favourite among fans and the media due to his huge personality.
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Also, Australian hero Miller appeals not only to his home market (which is an extremely key market for MotoGP) but also in Great Britain and the United States. Yet Binder has not done enough to promote himself to now be in a position where he could fill Miller’s void in 2027.
Like Binder, Miller looks likely to switch to World Superbikes in 2027 after losing his Pramac ride, with Yamaha widely believed to be handing it to Moto2 talent Izan Guevara. So, Liberty bosses have had to look elsewhere for their next English-speaking salesman, and might have already selected Moto2 gem Senna Agius as the Australian strives to join Tech3 next season.
Before the Australian’s talks with Tech3 about a 2027 MotoGP seat started to gain traction, reports claimed Pramac were asked to consider signing Agius over Guevara. Figures behind the scenes in the paddock know that MotoGP needs an Australian on the grid next season, especially ahead of the Australian Grand Prix going from Phillip Island to Adelaide’s streets.
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