Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder optimistic after solid season opener

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder has welcomed his start to the 2026 MotoGP season but acknowledges there’s room for growth as he looks to bounce back after a challenging 2025.

Following a season widely regarded as one of his toughest since his 2020 debut, Binder’s struggles with the RC16 never fully subsided. However, early signs suggest a more competitive 2026 — a crucial year as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

A direct qualification into Q2 immediately set a positive tone for Binder, who collected valuable points over the weekend. A sixth-place finish in the Sprint race, coupled with seventh in the main Grand Prix, left the South African sixth overall at the end of the weekend on 13 points.

Binder acknowledged the positives but admitted he still wanted more.

“Happy on one hand, but on the other, I’d like more than a seventh,” he said after the race.

The South African rider was encouraged by the consistency he displayed across both races, particularly the consistency he found during Sunday's race.

“We’re going step by step and moving forward. It was good to be in Q2 directly on Friday, and both races went pretty well,” Binder added.

“We’ve made a step with consistency. Today was a lot more challenging than the Sprint. The bike clearly has potential, so we’ll keep working and try to catch up to Pedro.”

Team manager Aki Ajo expressed satisfaction with the performances of both factory riders, Binder and Pedro Acosta, with the Spaniard topping the standings with 32 points after winning Saturday’s Sprint race and coming second on Sunday.

“A win and a podium this weekend mean we should be very happy with the work of the factory, the staff, and the riders. Pedro and Brad both had a really solid and strong weekend. We made an obvious improvement from 2025,” Ajo said.

“This race can be difficult for several factors, but we approached it the right way and showed good early potential. Of course, there’s still work to do, and results for all four riders varied, but this is only the first GP of a long championship.”

Binder closed out his weekend at the Chang International Circuit on a high note and will carry confidence into the upcoming race in Brazil in less than three weeks.

* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch