Brad Binder returns to Qatar with the determination to vie for top positions, fully confident in his abilities and eager to put a challenging weekend in the USA behind him. The KTM rider, a formidable force at the Losail track, recalls his swift past performances and is set on climbing back onto the podium. Binder stated, “It’s good to be back in Qatar. The track is good, it always has been in the past. We’ve had some podiums here and good races in MotoGP. So, it would be great to start getting closer to that top three, without a doubt. That’s my goal for this weekend.”
With his sights set on a strong comeback, Binder is leveraging his previous successes at Losail to boost his chances, mindful of the speed and skill required at such a venue. Despite the technical challenges encountered in Austin, which might raise concerns, Binder remains hopeful that the KTM team can address the vibration issues plaguing some corners. These odd circumstances, which affect lap times, stem from problems felt during specific maneuvers. Binder noted, “It’s really complicated, to be honest, because we can take a corner once and feel nothing. The second time, without doing anything wrong, we feel a huge vibration.”
The technical obstacles mainly arise in long, flowing corners rather than braking or acceleration zones, a situation that has left the technical team fishing for answers but also working tirelessly towards a resolution. Binder’s faith in the engineering crew is steadfast, albeit cautious. He elaborates, “It’s not so much in the corners where we brake and then accelerate. It’s more in the long corners, where we stay leaned over for a long time. That’s where we have this problem.”
As the race weekend in Qatar approaches, Binder’s ambitions act as a beacon, showcasing both his resilience and optimism. His quest for the podium signifies not just personal achievement but also a strategic move forward for KTM. Looking ahead, Binder’s perseverance could be the key to overcoming technical hurdles, setting a potential precedent for not just success at Losail but for future races as well.
