- Brad Binder eyes Austin rebound after a frustrating DNF in Brazil Grand Prix over the weekend.
- The series is set for this weekend’s USA Grand Prix from March 27–29.
- MotoGP made its return to Brazil after a 22-year hiatus, where it also proved challenging for Binder’s teammate, Acosta, who finished seventh.
Brad Binder has shifted his full focus to rebound at the USA Grand Prix from March 27–29, after enduring a rough outing in the Brazilian Grand Prix that ended prematurely due to a costly crash last weekend.
After a positive start to the season in Thailand, the Red Bull KTM rider needed nothing short of a continuation of that momentum throughout the year, but the tricky conditions in Goiania proved expensive as he wrapped up the weekend without a single point.
Following a 22-year hiatus, MotoGP made quite an eventful return to Brazil at the Ayrton Senna International Circuit. After torrential rain had flooded the circuit early in the week, the main race was reduced from 31 to 23 laps due to track degradation.
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Having started down in 21st, Binder made encouraging progress through the field, climbing to 17th before his race was cut short on lap 4.
It marked a disappointing end to a weekend that failed to live up to the early promise shown by the Austrian squad at the start of the season.
Binder leaves the round without adding to his points tally and currently sits ninth, slipping three places from his earlier sixth in the championship standings — 43 points behind leader Marco Bezzecchi and 29 adrift of teammate Pedro Acosta (42), who occupies third.
Brad Binder eyes Austin rebound after a frustrating DNF in Brazil
With Austin next on the calendar, Binder will be targeting a stronger, more complete performance as he looks to avoid another early exit and regain his momentum in the championship.
Looking back on the race, Binder admitted it was not the outcome he had hoped for, but remains focused on the upcoming challenge.
“Just a really short race. I started fast and passed a few guys at the beginning but then went into Turn 1, locked the front wheel and that was about it. I would definitely have enjoyed a few more laps. Onto America from here and we will see how we line-up.”
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However, it was not just a tough weekend for Binder, his teammate Pedro Acosta endured a similar fate, though he managed to salvage a few points.
Finishing seventh saw him drop from first to third after Marco Bezzecchi made it two from two on Sunday and four in a row, showing that Aprilia is taking the fight to Ducati this season.
His teammate Jorge Martin finished second to make it a one-two for the Italian manufacturer. Bezzecchi (56) and Martin (45) lead the championship ahead of Acosta (42).
“The first 8-9 laps were quite good but we were not so fast on the straight today. I was missing some points to fight for the podium. We made the maximum with what we have in our hands. Austin will also be a tough one with these two long straights but now we must work on it,” the Spaniard stated.
MotoGP – 2026 Top Ten Standings After the Brazilian Grand Prix
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) – 56 pts
- Jorge Martin (Aprilia) – 45 pts
- Pedro Acosta (KTM) – 42 pts
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) – 37 pts
- Marc Marquez (Ducati) – 34 pts
- Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 33 pts
- Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 29 pts
- Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) – 13 pts
- Brad Binder (KTM) – 13 pts
- Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati) – 12 pts