- Brad Binder aims to continue building rhythm as the MotoGP season moves into its fifth round at the French Grand Prix.
- The fifth round takes place at the Bugatti Circuit from Friday, May 8 to 10.
- Binder arrives sitting 11th overall with 28 points, aiming to break into the top 10.
Brad Binder will be aiming to improve on the five points he grabbed in Spain back in April as he hits the Bugatti Circuit for the French Grand Prix this weekend, May 8-10.
The South African international rolls into round five sitting 11th overall with 28 points, still trying to crack that top-10 barrier while the KTM pressure to keep him for another season continues to heat up.
In Spain especially, Binder watched a fantastic chance slip through his fingers. He was closing in on a maiden premier-class podium in the Sprint race, only to crash and settle for fourth and five points. Then, despite qualifying for the second round for the main race, he could only manage 11th at the flag.
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Spain was a big step up compared to how he launched his season with seventh in the Thailand Grand Prix, plus a few points from sixth in the Sprint there.
But the two following rounds were unlucky; he got a DNF at the Ayrton Senna circuit, and in the USA, Binder finished 12th.
So Binder will again look to sharpen his one-lap pace in France to set himself up better for the weekend.
He felt confident after completing all 84 laps around the Jerez circuit during an official MotoGP test day last Monday.
“We tested some different fairings and it helped a bit with turning in the faster corners, which was nice,” Binder said.
“Other than that, we tried a different rear shock which seemed to calm things down and hook up better out of the corners. Corner entry was a bit more settled as well. Two small changes, but in areas where we needed them.”
This weekend, Binder needs to prove his mettle and convince KTM to give him another extension.
He’s already persuaded them for one more year, though KTM have moved to sign Alex Marquez as Acosta’s replacement nothing’s official yet due to ongoing Concorde Agreement talks.
But it looks like Marquez is set. As for his teammate, that remains up in the air. Binder has not been able to keep pace with Acosta since the latter joined in 2025, and that gap has put Binder’s seat under real threat.
While no confirmed reports directly link Honda’s Mir to a move, the interest seems genuine and would mark another big shake-up in what’s shaping up to be a busy rider market.
Heading into round five, Aprilia have started the season strong, with Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin setting the early pace at the top of the riders’ standings.
Ducati remain a major force, especially after Alex Marquez’s recent victory at Jerez, while Marc Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio and others are firmly in the podium conversation.
Binder’s teammate Acosta finds himself fourth overall. He also had a rough outing in Spain and will be aiming to bounce back.
What time does the French Grand Prix kick off? (Timings)
On – East Africa Time
Friday
- Free Practice: 11:45am – 12:30pm
- Practice: 4pm – 5pm
Saturday
- Free Practice: 11:10am – 11:40am
- Qualifying 1: 11:50am – 12:05pm
- Qualifying 2: 12:15pm – 12:30pm
- Tissot Sprint: 4pm
Sunday
- Grand Prix: 3pm