Brad Binder conceded that the wild-card Pol Espargaro KTM prototype is “more for the future than right now,” despite being encouraged to see the Spaniard’s bike exiting corners more skillfully at the Austrian MotoGP.
As the MotoGP homologation regulations prohibit engine design changes for race riders throughout the season (unless a manufacturer is in the lowest D concession level), that is undoubtedly the case with Espargaro’s modified engine.
Outside of the “Aero Body” sections, aerodynamics, electronics, chassis components, and engine ancillaries (such exhausts) can all be modified.
Binder remarked, “Pol’s on quite a different package to us,” at the Red Bull Ring.
We’re losing a lot of time on the corners, but [he] appears to come off them a lot better, so that’s definitely a plus.
Memorably, KTM expeditiously transferred the carbon fiber chassis from the previous year to the racing squad following Dani Pedrosa’s impressive Misano result and a favorable post-race examination with Binder and Jack Miller.
However, Binder, the top KTM finisher and fifth place finisher in Sunday’s race, downplayed the likelihood that the Austrian GP parts would soon be fitted to his vehicle.
The South African stated, “I believe Pol’s spec is more something for the future than right now.”
“I believe that we are working with what we have. Furthermore, as far as I can tell, they are working on more projects for next year than ones for this one.
While Binder was the leading non-Ducati at the finish, he trailed race winner Francesco Bagnaia by eighteen seconds.
With 10 laps remaining, the #33 lost its position in fourth place to a recuperating Marc Marquez.
“I knew that Turns 6 or 7 would be where he would pass me because of how much I was spinning through Turn 5—I was moving through there like a snail!” Binder stated.
He pulled a few tenths in that one turn alone when he past me on the following lap, as far as I could see. To be honest, I believe that by moving so slowly around there, I astonished him.
Following Miller’s tumble, Espargaro, whose bike also had striking wings placed on the swingarm, ended as the next-best KTM in 11th place.
