Binder “truly believes” KTM ready to fight for MotoGP title
Brad Binder says he “truly believes” KTM is now capable of fighting for the MotoGP world championship in 2021 after its breakout 2020 campaign.
KTM scored three wins across its fourth year in the premier class last season, with Binder securing the Austrian marque’s first MotoGP victory in just his third race at the Czech Grand Prix.
Tech3’s Miguel Oliveira – who is now Binder’s teammate at the factory squad – added two more to this tally at the Styrian and Portuguese GPs.
Though it has lost its concession benefits for 2021, KTM will still enter the new season with a new engine after it lost its concessions during an enforced development freeze on all manufacturers as part of COVID-19 cost-saving measures last year.
“I believe so, I believe we have an extremely competitive package underneath us,” Binder said after KTM’s 2021 launch event when asked if KTM was ready to for a championship challenge.
“Last season proved how strong our package was, and I only see us improving this season.
“So, yeah, I truly believe we have what it takes to fight for the world title and I can’t wait to get this year started.
“But everything we have to take step by step and race by race, and let’s see how we get on.”
Binder admits he’s not sure what’s new with the 2021 RC16, claiming the base of the bike is similar to last year’s.
But he does concede KTM will have an advantage over its rivals given it can start the new season on a new bike.
“To be honest, the updates on the bike I’m not too sure what we have at this stage,” he said when asked by Motorsport.com if having a new bike will change his approach to the season.
“I know we have a lot to test and a lot of things to try. But as far as I know the base is quite similar to last year.
“In general, we definitely do have a small advantage because we are the only ones who are allowed to play a little bit [with the engine].
“So, yeah, I know the guys at the factory have been working flat out as they always do and I’m very confident our package is even stronger than last season.
“We weren’t that far off last year, so I think any small improvements we can find will go a long way.”
Related video
KTM and Tech 3 unveil 2021 MotoGP colours
KTM won’t race with a ‘super engine’ in 2021
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Motorsport.com, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock of Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. We analyse what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP's Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How praise for Honda's MotoGP bike has given way to doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022
Why Quartararo's win was vital not only for his title hopes
Fabio Quartararo got his MotoGP title defence off the ground in the Portuguese Grand Prix as a dominant first win of 2022 rocketed him to the top of the standings. While a significant result in terms of his title hopes, it has come at an even more important time in terms of his 2023 contract negotiations
The MotoGP rookie fighting two fronts in his debut year
Darryn Binder has found himself in the unenviable position as MotoGP's most under-pressure rookie in 2022 having made the step directly from Moto3 with a reputation as an over-aggressive rider. This hasn't been an easy thing to shake at the start of the season, but he believes tangible progress is being made
How ‘Beast’ mode is putting Ducati in 2022 MotoGP title contention
Enea Bastianini’s second win of the 2022 campaign at COTA puts him back in the lead of the standings and once again showed the best Ducati package is still the 2021 bike. Those closest to Bastianini tell Motorsport.com why he’s so good on the GP21 relative to his factory counterparts.
How Espargaro helped Aprilia shed MotoGP's underdog tag
Aleix Espargaro became MotoGP's newest winner in a thrilling Argentina Grand Prix in which he also proved the merits of the Aprilia project. After six years of hard graft, both parties have reaped the rewards they have long thought they deserved. But it was several key moments in that journey that led both to that momentous Sunday at Termas de Rio Hondo.