KTM rider Brad Binder ends MotoGP 2023 as the best non-Ducati rider in P4: Why the South African is not satisfied after his best season to date
Brad Binder achieved his best result so far in the overall standings in the past MotoGP season. In fourth place, the KTM factory rider was the best non-Ducati rider of the 2023 MotoGP season. However, the South African is not satisfied, as he is convinced that he could have done much better
Some crashes and mistakes, such as the one at the season finale in Valencia, cost valuable points. “I expected a lot more from this season, to be honest. We had the potential for more, but I made a lot of mistakes. I threw away a lot of opportunities,” said an annoyed Binder.
In the final Grand Prix, Binder was leading but then made a mistake. As a result, the 2023 MotoGP season ended without a KTM victory in one of the main races. “I didn’t win on Sunday, but I won twice on Saturday,” said Binder, trying to see the positive aspects.
“We’ve had some ups and downs this season,” said Binder looking back. “My feeling is that we could have done more. We could have achieved more, but fourth place in the championship is a good improvement on last year, when we finished sixth. I hope that we can continue this development. “
Brad Binder is annoyed about his riding mistakes and crashes
Compared to 2022, KTM was closer this year. “Last year, I knew where we stood. I wanted to make sure I finished every race in the best possible way. This year I wanted to win. I’m tired of the positions we’ve achieved,” admits Binder.
“That’s why I pushed myself particularly hard. The crashes were the result of that. Of course, that’s not cool. On the other hand, we have twice as many races. Everyone crashed more often,” says Binder.
Great anticipation for 2024: What is KTM missing for World Championship success?
Next year, Binder wants to fight for the World Championship title with KTM. “I’m really looking forward to getting started again next year,” he remarks with anticipation. “We now have two or three months to continue to grow. “
“We want to improve slightly in all areas. If we manage to do that, then we will have what it takes to fight for victories next season,” says the KTM rider with conviction. But what does KTM need to improve over the winter to end Ducati’s supremacy?
“We need more grip at maximum lean angles,” says Binder, naming the biggest weakness of the KTM RC16. “For me, this is the area where we can improve the most. Every other area could already be improved.”
“I feel guilty asking the guys to improve this, even though they have already done everything else much better. But until we have solved the problem, it will be difficult,” Binder is convinced. In the Valencia test immediately after the final Grand Prix, Binder missed the best time by just a few thousandths of a second
Brad Binder is at the peak of his career
Is the World Championship title realistic? “My plan was to go for it this year,” jokes the KTM rider. “You can never be sure. I’m riding pretty well at the moment, I’d say. I’ve never been in such good shape. “
“We’ve had a lot of really good races this season. Sepang was probably our worst race. We were fast in all the sessions, but unfortunately not in the races,” recalls Binder, who was by far the best KTM rider.
KTM team-mate Jack Miller experienced some disappointing weekends, especially in the second half of the season. The Australian finished his KTM debut season in eleventh place. As a result, Binder was the only KTM rider in the top 10
