Winning was "strange point" of rookie MotoGP season - Binder
KTM rookie Brad Binder says his tough recent run in MotoGP has made him realise the "strange point of the year" was actually his Czech Grand Prix victory.
The 2019 Moto2 runner-up stunned at Brno in August when he dominated the Czech GP by 5.3 seconds to claim his and KTM's first victory in MotoGP in just the South African's third premier class start.
However, Binder has failed to register a top 10 finish since September and has crashed out twice - most recently at the Teruel GP, when he wiped out Pramac's Jack Miller on the opening lap. In an exclusive interview with Autosport organised by Red Bull, Binder admits he questioned his form after "everything fell into place" in the early races of his debut MotoGP season.
"It's funny, because you kind of lie in bed and think 'where did this all go wrong?'" Binder said when asked by Autosport if his recent form dip was hard to take given his strong start to 2020. "Because it seemed to not be easy, but everything just fell into place in the beginning.
"But I slowly started to realise that was the strange point of the year - winning was the strange point of my rookie year, not the crashing and making mistakes, riding into people, going off track. All of that is the natural point of your rookie year, so all in all I'm grateful I had the opportunity and took advantage when I did.
"I know it's going to happen again. I don't know when, but I'll get it right for sure. It's just a matter of time. We've got a brand-new opportunity here this weekend, so let's see how we get on."
On Friday, Red Bull launched a documentary on the South African's rise to MotoGP race winner entitled 'Brad Binder: Becoming 33'. The film charts Binder's formative racing years with his brother Darryn - who competes in Moto3 currently - and his rise through the grand prix ladder.
Binder says it's "super-cool" to have a documentary made about him already, and was pleased it showed the effort his parents put in to furthering his and his brother's racing careers.
"Yeah, it's been a long ride and it's been super-cool to see how far we've come," he said. "My parents, they made massive sacrifices and I can never thank them enough for all of that and without them there's no way any of this would ever have been a possibility.
"It's so far, so good. Super-cool, it's crazy to think there's a documentary out about me and I'm only 25 and I feel like my career's only starting.
"So, if there's not another one I think must be doing something wrong!"
You can watch 'Brad Binder: Becoming 33' at redbull.com
Espargaro not "super nervous" to get first MotoGP win
Valencia MotoGP: Nakagami sets FP1 pace ahead of Yamahas
Previewing the biggest driver moves for the 2023 NASCAR Cup season
There are several drivers who find themselves at new homes for 2023, from race winners to Cup champions and even a couple rookies trying to prove that they belong at NASCAR's top level.
McLaren signs Hughes to complete 2022-23 Formula E grid
Jake Hughes will partner Rene Rast at the McLaren Formula E team in 2022-23, completing the field as the last driver to be confirmed for the upcoming season.
Villeneuve set to test Vanwall Le Mans Hypercar
Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is set to test the Vanwall Le Mans Hypercar at Barcelona this week.
Track guide for the Le Mans Virtual Series Sebring 500 race
It’s regarded as one of the classic sportscar venues in the world. Sebring is the venue for round four of the Le Mans Virtual Series — the number one eSports championship for the world’s best simulator and professional race drivers — in association with LEGO® Technic™ and its stunning #51 AF Corse Ferrari 488.
Ranking the top 10 MotoGP riders of 2022
The 2022 MotoGP season was another hotly contested championship, with Francesco Bagnaia emerging as the title winner after the campaign went to the wire. Motorsport.com picks out the 10 best performers of the season
Was the MotoGP 2022 title won by Bagnaia or lost by Quartararo?
Reigning MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo had a 91-point lead over rival Francesco Bagnaia after the German Grand Prix, a seemingly impregnable gap to overcome in the remaining 10 races. But as the Frenchman struggled for pace with his Yamaha, Bagnaia stormed back into contention and swept to Ducati's first riders' title since 2007
Why there's more to Honda's 2023 MotoGP bike than the Valencia test suggests
After a run on Honda's 2023 prototype MotoGP bike, six-time champion Marc Marquez made his pessimism clear with his initial reaction. But the Japanese marque has made leadership changes behind closed doors - and a more representative bike promised for the Malaysia test in February could placate Marquez.
Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems
While new MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia might not be the loudest rider on the grid, his calm exterior belies a steely backbone. His part in turning around Ducati's fortunes at the start of the year, when displeased with a new engine concept, shows the strength of his character.
Why Bagnaia's MotoGP triumph is as worthy as Stoner's Ducati breakthrough
OPINION: Despite the superiority exhibited by the Ducati in 2022, the context in which Francesco Bagnaia became MotoGP world champion means that both the rider and the Italian marque merit the same recognition that the brand and Casey Stoner received after their 2007 title
Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending
OPINION: MotoGP’s fifth last round showdown of the modern era delivered a tense finale despite the predictable outcome, as Francesco Bagnaia ended 15 years of pain for Ducati. But as emotions ran high for the Italian marque, a final victory for a departing Japanese rival tinged the campaign’s conclusion with sadness.
Why the 2023 MotoGP title battle has already begun
Since Ducati announced the arrival of Enea Bastianini to its factory team for 2023, the staging of the four-time race winner has strained the atmosphere within the Italian manufacturer, which has raised its guard in anticipation of what may happen between him and championship favourite Francesco Bagnaia.
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Yamaha's decision to dispense pre-season with the 2022 engine it had intended to use due to lack of reliability, the promises of improvement to Fabio Quartararo and the advance with which the rider market moves leaves the Japanese brand with less than six months to prevent the Frenchman from starting to look for a way out