After the Austrian Grand Prix, Brad Binder of KTM feels that the company has “figured out some good things” with its MotoGP bike.
Due to his 2023 sprint and grand prix second places, Binder had high expectations going into KTM’s home event.
Though Binder qualified down in 12th place, KTM’s highest-ranked rider finished in fifth place, 18.620 seconds behind race winner Francesco Bagnaia, last weekend at the Red Bull Ring.
After finishing in the top five on Sunday for the first time since round two in Portugal, he declared, “I can’t ask for more.”
“I thought I gave everything I had from the start to the finish.”
“I really tried not to make any mistakes, to settle into a rhythm, and to push through to the finish line without trying to destroy the tire.”
We were able to bring it home in a respectable condition.
“So, yes, placing in the top five is good. Naturally, I was hoping for much more from our home grand prix, but I believe this weekend we’ve made some progress. Let’s continue growing from here, then.
This week, KTM and Dani Pedrosa will go through a private test in Misano with the aim of finalizing a few aspects before the Aragon GP.
KTM managed to establish themselves as the leading non-Ducati manufacturer at the Red Bull Ring, despite being far off the podium.
Before Jack Miller wrecked at Turn 2, it had both of its factory riders in the top six at one point, while wildcard Pol Espargaro, who qualified for Q2, finished in eleventh place.
Team manager Francesco Guidotti stated, “Overall, we have to take the good parts of the weekend,” in reflection on the past weekend.
Brad was just amazing. He started from the fourth row and made a great start without making any blunders. He offered everything he had.
“We shown his abilities and we are aware of his race mindset. Jack’s return to the top was welcome, even with the small accident.
He qualified superbly and finished fifth on the grid.
“He’s still capable of giving the team some solid performances. Pol performed admirably, and the work he completed this past weekend was highly beneficial to the team’s growth. Additionally, the outcomes were strong.
At this level, switching from the microphone to the handlebar is difficult, which also indicates that the bike’s competitiveness is encouraging.
We are making great progress, and I would want to express my gratitude to all of the spectators at our home race as well as the management and employees who came to support us in the garage and around the track.
“Our goal is to get some different outcomes right now and return later.”
