Why Binder was destined to lead KTM in MotoGP

Of the many surprising things that happened in 2020, few would have had money on KTM's Brad Binder storming to victory on just his third MotoGP start at the Czech Grand Prix. Autosport readers ultimately favoured Pierre Gasly's sensational Monza Formula 1 win as their moment of the year, but nothing for me tops that day at Brno.

While it came as a shock, the fact it happened in what were largely normal circumstances, with the weather perfect and the grid only missing the injured Marc Marquez, went a long way to proving just how good a rider the 2016 Moto3 world champion is.

The KTM RC16 made a big stride over the winter from its predecessor, but Binder was easily the strongest of the Austrian marque's riders in those early races. He had podium pace in the opening Spanish GP, but made a mistake in the opening stages which dropped him to last. He had similar speed in the following Jerez race, but crashed trying to make up ground after a Turn 1 collision with Tech3 KTM counterpart and 2021 team-mate Miguel Oliveira.

As he stormed through from seventh on the grid to that dominant 5.2s victory margin at Brno, the first for KTM in MotoGP, it was a display which was in equal parts surprising and not. After all, there is a reason the South African has had its support from such a young age.

"KTM have been backing me from the beginning," Binder told Autosport in November. "So, it's been the best part of... well, I started [Red Bull] Rookies Cup with them in 2009 and they've looked after me since then. It's amazing to have got that result together, especially so soon.

"But it's just proof that hard work pays off. It hasn't quite gone to plan since then, we've had a few ups and downs for sure. But that day was a day I will never forget. That was a huge day for me in my career as well as KTM. So, I just need to stay focused, keep working hard. I want more of those days."

KTM took the decision before racing got underway in the coronavirus-delayed 2020 season to retain Binder in its factory squad for 2021, having moved him up from Tech3 - where he was meant to ride in his rookie season - to replace Johann Zarco.

Binder's victory at Brno was total vindication of a decision that was still incredibly risky when it was made, given Binder and the RC16's performance was still a question mark. In many ways, it's what prompted KTM to sign ousted Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci when its most experienced hand Pol Espargaro quit to join Honda.

Binder's comments about his own season after Brno are accurate, but also in a way blown out of proportion. He was a solid fourth in the Austrian GP and a similar result was on the cards at the second Red Bull Ring race before a late error dropped him to eighth. He wouldn't reach the top 10 again until the European GP at Valencia, coming through to seventh after serving a long lap penalty for a collision with Jack Miller at Aragon. A fifth in the Valencia GP gave way to a DNF - his fourth of the year - at the Portugal finale, but he still walked away with top rookie honours, admitting he was "surprised" to do so, and 11th in the standings.

"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" Brad Binder

Sure, if you compare Binder's debut season to that of Fabio Quartararo's from 2019 - victory aside - the Frenchman was much stronger. But Quartararo was also on a much easier bike in the Yamaha and at a satellite team. Plus, the expectation on Quartararo's shoulders was already much less than on Binder's given that the former's promotion to MotoGP was to many unwarranted after his lacklustre run in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes.

And while you could argue Binder's Brno win perhaps flattered to deceive, he recognises his victory - and not his dip in form - was the strangest part of his year.

"It's funny, because you kind of lie in bed and think 'where did this all go wrong?'," he adds. "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."

In some ways, that win had a negative effect on Binder as it led to him trying to replicate that form by going over the limit, which he in turn was too aggressive in criticising himself for.

The former point is one easily ironed out in time as he adapts to life in MotoGP. But the latter trait - and his unwavering belief he'll eventually get things right - is a telling one, not least for someone KTM is banking on for its future and to spearhead its factory outfit this year alongside the slightly more experienced Oliveira.

How Binder treated his own mistakes and misjudgements last year is very reminiscent of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc - another young star billed as a marque's future.

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"One thing that I've learnt is it's a bit of an up and down situation for me, and it's funny because it doesn't matter how bad things go, I always feel like I'm going to get her right, whether that be in the race or the following weekend," Binder notes.

"I've just always tried that little bit too hard, where I feel like I maybe kicked myself a little bit because I could have got a lot of good results not doing... I wouldn't say not doing my best, but going to the limit and sticking there, not giving it any extra little bit like I always do.

"But saying that, I don't think I'd have a win if that was the case either. So, there's a lot of good and bad things that I've learnt. I just want to really put myself together and try and be a little bit more consistent [in 2021], but keep that edge that I think I have when I can turn it up when I want to."

KTM's technical boss Sebastian Risse admitted last year that the marque's largely inexperienced line-up for 2021 across its factory team and Tech3 does pose a challenge as it continues to evolve what is now a race-winning package.

But Binder is relaxed about the added responsibility he'll have to take on in steering bike development, not least with much of that work having to now be carried out during race weekends after KTM lost its concessions and its ability to test with race riders in-season.

In his final Moto2 campaign in 2019, the KTM chassis proved to be uncompetitive and forced the marque into throwing numerous updates at its riders to try and cure its woes - development work, the bulk of which, was handled by Binder. He ultimately won five grands prix that year and missed the championship won by Alex Marquez by three points.

"Going into [2021] I think we can do a good job regardless," Binder concludes. "I feel like I'm quite good at really feeling the difference when the guys try things on the bike. I might be new to the class, but as far as developing a bike goes I did it in Moto2 and I did it a lot in 2019.

"So, it's not something brand new to me. Also, we have amazing guys like [Dani] Pedrosa whose feedback helps the whole project completely. So, yeah, I'm confident we can do a good job together, myself and KTM. I know we'll get her right and we'll have lots of great days together in the future."

There's no doubting Espargaro will be a big loss to KTM. His efforts since 2017 are responsible for KTM being in the position it is now as a frontrunner in MotoGP.

But there's also no doubting Binder is a real star of the future, his raw speed coupled with his attitude to racing the perfect blend necessary to lead a factory to championship glory in the coming years...