After a challenging 2025 season with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, South African rider Brad Binder is eager to make a strong MotoGP comeback. Following a winter break to recharge, Binder aims to leverage improvements made by KTM along with the support of a new crew chief to overcome last year’s struggles and reestablish himself among the top contenders.
Reflecting on a Difficult Season and Resetting Focus
The past season was marked by frustration as Binder struggled to find comfort on the RC16 bike, which affected his performance and dropped him out of the championship’s top 10. During the offseason, he took time away to reflect deeply on these challenges and recalibrate his approach.
“When the season ended, I felt the need to take a break, because the more difficult things got, the harder I worked and the more I committed myself, but it didn’t work. Last season was undoubtedly one of the most difficult of my career, and the worst thing is that I know I can do much more, because I’ve already done it at least a dozen times. It’s really hard when you struggle so much, but it was very positive to take a couple of weeks off to unwind and reflect on the past year, because that made it easier to understand where I was going wrong,”
Binder explained.
He also outlined a new focus for the upcoming year:
“My goal for this winter break was to put together a good program, start from scratch on December 15, build a good foundation, and spend as much time as possible on a bike. My goal for this year is simply to live more in the present and have as much fun as possible on the bike. Then, I think the rest will come naturally.”
Adopting a Present-Minded Strategy to Regain Momentum
Binder’s fresh strategy centers on minimizing overthinking and concentrating on daily progress. After reflecting on last season’s mental toll, he is committed to an approach grounded in presence and enjoyment of racing.
“I want to try to think as little as possible. I just want to focus on the work I can do every single day and take things one day at a time. I feel like I overdid it last season, and that didn’t help me at all. I was thinking about what I should be doing instead of just riding. That’s why this winter I focused on what I was doing, trying to give it my all and let things go back to being more natural.”
Introducing Phil Marron as the New Crew Chief for Binder
In an important team change, Binder’s garage welcomed Phil Marron, former crew chief to Toprak Razgatlioglu, replacing long-time partner Andres Madrid. This fresh leadership brings renewed energy and a different perspective to Binder’s support crew as he enters his seventh MotoGP season with KTM.
“I have a great relationship with Andres. He’s one of my best friends, both on and off the track, and we’ve had a lot of good times together. But maybe we were a little stuck in our ways. We knew each other extremely well, and maybe our vision was becoming a bit too narrow,”
Binder admitted.
He expressed optimism about working with Marron:
“Starting over with Phil will be fun. It will take a while to get used to seeing a new face in the garage, because I’ve had the same crew chief for a long time, but I’m excited about this new adventure. Phil is a really smart guy. We talked a lot during the winter break. He works really hard, and I can’t wait for the next season to start.”
Addressing Qualifying Challenges to Improve Race Competitiveness
A key area Binder plans to enhance is his qualifying speed, where he struggled especially last season, falling behind rivals such as Acosta by significant margins. Comfortable bike handling will be critical to regaining his qualifying form and overall race pace.
“Qualifying has never been my strong point, but I had improved a lot in recent years: last season was by far the worst. There were a few factors that contributed to this. One of them is the fact that I don’t feel comfortable on the bike,”
Binder reflected.
“It was probably the most difficult season I’ve ever had, and sometimes it’s hard to understand why you don’t have the right pace. In the past, it seemed to come naturally: I didn’t care if I was missing something because I would find it again the next day. Last year was more complicated, but I know that the most important thing I need is to feel comfortable, to understand that I have confidence in the bike, and to understand how far I can push the package. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
Optimism Fueled by KTM’s Offseason Development Progress
Binder’s confidence also stems from KTM’s advancements with the 2026 bike, which features fresh upgrades and innovations beyond the incremental changes seen in the previous year’s model. Early signs in testing and Valencia suggested tangible improvements.
“Well, I think, for sure, going into this time last season, we definitely had a lot less things to try. Last year’s bike was very much a spin-off of our bike from the previous year. But I think this year, at the moment, we have more fresh items to try, and already in Valencia we saw some small improvements, so I’m pretty sure that after this off-season, we’re ready and we’re going to be in a position to make a step forward.”
Focusing on 2026 Before Turning Attention to Future Developments
Looking ahead, Binder has kept his focus squarely on the present season despite curiosity about KTM’s prototype preparations for 2027. He trusts the team’s expertise and prefers to concentrate on racing this year’s bike to his full potential before thinking about long-term future projects.
“I asked a few questions to find out how it’s going, and so far, everything seems great and pretty impressive, to be honest. But as a rider, I’m solely focused on 2026. The guys know what they’re doing, they know how to develop the bike, and they’ll provide us with the best possible package. I just have to think about riding, and my hope is to finish this year having had a great season, the best so far, and then I’ll worry about 2027 when the time comes.”
Seeing Value in Mentorship through Experienced Champions
Binder also values advice from seasoned champions within KTM’s ecosystem, praising the collaboration between Maverick Vinales and Jorge Lorenzo, as well as his own access to former rider and test rider Dani Pedrosa’s guidance.
“Lorenzo is a multiple champion, a legend of this sport, and Maverick himself is an incredible rider who has won many races and has a lot of talent. So, I think their collaboration can be very positive,”
he said.
“For my part, having Dani (Pedrosa) as a test rider, whenever I need advice or want to know something, I know I can count on him. He has helped me a lot in certain situations over the years, and I think it’s definitely an advantage because experience is important, and when someone has already been down that road, they already know which direction to take, what the challenges might be, how to go faster, and what has worked for them. It’s always interesting, and I think it’s always an advantage to have the opportunity to talk to someone, even if they are an athlete from another sport who has experienced similar situations. Sport can sometimes put you in your place, so it’s nice to be able to work with other athletes who have the same mindset.”
Outlook for Brad Binder’s Renewed Campaign
With a reenergized mindset, strengthened technical support from Phil Marron, and progressive improvements from KTM’s RC16, Brad Binder is positioned for a comeback geared toward consistent performance and more satisfying results. A focused and present approach combined with the team’s evolving tools sets the stage for him to capitalize on his experience and unlock higher potential during the 2026 MotoGP season.
