Brad Binder, one of KTM’s star MotoGP riders, has called his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix the most difficult weekend of his racing career. Despite entering the 2025 season with confidence and high hopes, the South African racer struggled from the very start of the event and left the Lusail International Circuit visibly frustrated and disappointed.
Binder, known for his aggressive riding style and never-give-up attitude, found himself fighting not for a podium—but for survival. From practice through race day, he was never able to find comfort on his KTM RC16 bike. The situation was so bad that Binder described it as “the worst race of my life.”
Setup Struggles and Poor Qualifying Results
The weekend started poorly for Binder, with a lack of grip and balance in practice sessions. Qualifying only added to the frustration, as he failed to break into the top positions, ultimately starting the Grand Prix from 18th on the grid. It became clear early on that something wasn’t right with his bike’s setup.
According to Binder, no matter what changes the team made, the problems kept piling up. He described intense “chatter” from the bike—vibrations that made it hard to control in corners—and severe rear wheel spin that made acceleration almost impossible.
He shared that whenever they adjusted one problem, another issue popped up. “If I didn’t have massive chatter, I was washing the front,” he explained. “If I wasn’t washing the front, I was spinning like hell.”
Disappointing Race Day Performance
Things didn’t improve during the actual races. In the sprint race, Binder could only manage a 14th-place finish. During the main Grand Prix on Sunday, the same struggles continued. He once again ended up in 14th position, a massive 17.6 seconds behind the leader.
To make things worse, Binder wasn’t able to mount any significant overtakes or show the aggressive racecraft that has defined his career so far. His body language after the race told the story: disappointment, exhaustion, and frustration.
He was later bumped up to 13th place due to another rider receiving a time penalty, but the points gain was small comfort. In terms of performance and feeling on the bike, this was a weekend he would rather forget.
Pedro Acosta Holds His Own
While Binder struggled, KTM’s rising star Pedro Acosta managed to salvage a somewhat respectable result. The young Spaniard, who impressed during his MotoGP debut in 2024, finished ninth in the Grand Prix and was later promoted to eighth after a penalty was applied to another rider.
Acosta’s performance wasn’t perfect, but it was steady. He faced some challenges in the sprint but avoided major errors and showed signs of confidence with his bike setup. While not thrilled with his results, Acosta said the race was “acceptable” and pointed out that with fewer technical issues, he could have pushed harder.
He also noted that he was starting to feel more at home on the KTM, especially at high speeds. “When we don’t have a lot of problems, we can be fast,” Acosta said.
KTM’s Rough Start to the Season
KTM’s weekend in Qatar revealed just how unpredictable MotoGP can be, especially at the start of a new season. The team came into the 2025 championship hoping to build on strong performances from the previous year, but the opening race has raised more questions than answers.
The team has faced some internal pressure to improve bike development, especially in terms of stability and rear grip—two critical elements in the ultra-competitive MotoGP field. If KTM wants to challenge for wins and podiums this year, they’ll need to find quick solutions before falling too far behind their rivals.
Binder Reflects and Looks Ahead
Despite the harsh outcome, Binder is already looking to bounce back. He remained calm in his post-race interviews and tried to stay positive, focusing on what lies ahead rather than what went wrong.
He admitted the team tried nearly everything to fix the issues, but nothing seemed to work. “From the first lap, I just felt like I had no rear grip,” he said. “And we didn’t find anything to make it feel normal.”
Binder’s resilience is one of his strongest traits. In the past, he’s come back stronger from difficult weekends. With the next round taking place at Jerez—a circuit where he’s had solid performances—Binder is hoping to turn things around quickly.
What’s Next for KTM and Binder?
The Qatar Grand Prix is just the first of many races in the 2025 MotoGP calendar. For KTM, it serves as a wake-up call and an opportunity to regroup. There’s no doubt the talent is there—both Binder and Acosta are capable of delivering top-tier results. But the team must now find consistency in bike performance to give their riders a fair shot at competing with the likes of Ducati, Yamaha, and Honda.
Binder, known for pushing through adversity, will be determined to prove that this weekend was just a bump in the road. Meanwhile, Acosta’s steady hand could become a vital asset in KTM’s overall championship campaign.
MotoGP is unpredictable, emotional, and brutally honest—and for Brad Binder, Qatar 2025 was a harsh reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong. But if history is anything to go by, you can count on him to fight back hard.
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