Brad Binder’s Struggles at Mandalika: “I Couldn’t Push, and My Lap Time Was the Same on the First Lap and on the Last”
Brad Binder, the talented South African MotoGP rider for Red Bull KTM, faced one of his toughest weekends of the 2023 season at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. The fast, flowing track, with its mix of high-speed straights and tight corners, proved to be a formidable challenge for Binder, who admitted that he struggled throughout the race. The normally aggressive and dynamic Binder found himself fighting against his bike, unable to push as hard as he wanted, leaving him frustrated and disappointed with his performance.
A Difficult Weekend from the Start
The Mandalika race weekend did not start well for Binder and the KTM team. Throughout the practice sessions, Binder reported difficulties with grip and overall feel on the bike. The setup changes they tried during the free practice sessions did not yield the improvements they hoped for, which set the stage for a tough race ahead.
During qualifying, Binder struggled to find the pace necessary to place himself in a competitive position on the grid. He battled against tire degradation and an unstable rear end, leaving him unable to push the limits like he normally does. As a result, he qualified further back than expected, a position that would make his race day even more difficult.
Binder reflected on the weekend leading up to the race, stating, “It was a weekend where nothing seemed to click. We tried different settings, but the changes didn’t bring the improvements we needed. Every time I went out, I felt like I was hitting the same wall. It’s frustrating because I know we have the potential, but it just wasn’t happening here.”
Race Day Struggles: Lack of Grip and Consistent Lap Times
On race day, Binder was optimistic that a strong start could help him make up positions, but as soon as the race began, he realized that the problems from practice and qualifying had followed him into the race. He found himself unable to push the bike as he would have liked, particularly in the corners where he typically excels at finding time. The lack of grip, especially in the rear tire, made it difficult for him to accelerate out of the turns, and he soon found himself losing ground to the front runners.
Binder’s frustration became evident as the laps ticked by. Despite his best efforts, his lap times remained stagnant. The bike’s handling issues meant that Binder’s pace was essentially the same at the beginning of the race as it was at the end. Normally, a rider would expect some tire wear and perhaps a drop in performance over the course of the race, but for Binder, the consistent pace was not a good sign. It indicated that he was riding on the edge from the start, unable to push harder without risking a crash or overworking the tires.
Reflecting on the race, Binder said, “It was one of the strangest races for me because my lap times were literally the same from the first lap to the last. It felt like I couldn’t push the bike at all. Normally, I can find something more as the race goes on, but this time, there was just nothing. I was on the limit from the start, and that was all I could manage.”
Analyzing the Issues: Tire Problems and Setup Woes
The KTM team and Binder spent a considerable amount of time after the race analyzing what went wrong. Binder cited the tires as a significant factor in his struggles. While all riders have to deal with tire degradation, Binder felt that the combination of the track surface, temperature, and his bike setup resulted in a lack of traction, particularly in the rear tire. The hot and humid conditions in Mandalika often cause tires to overheat, reducing grip and making the bike harder to control, especially in the later stages of the race.
In addition to the tire issues, Binder pointed to problems with the overall setup of the bike. Throughout the weekend, the team had made several adjustments in an attempt to find a better balance, but Binder never felt completely comfortable with the changes. The rear end of the bike felt unstable, especially under braking and in corner exits, where Binder usually excels at carrying speed. The inability to trust the rear of the bike meant that he had to ride more cautiously, preventing him from attacking the corners and making up time on his rivals.
Binder explained, “I felt like I was constantly battling the rear end of the bike. It just wasn’t stable enough for me to push, especially when coming out of the corners. Usually, I can rely on the grip and stability to carry more speed, but here, it was a real struggle. Every time I tried to push harder, the bike would move around too much, and I had to back off.”
A Learning Experience for Binder and KTM
While the Mandalika race was undoubtedly a disappointment for Binder, both he and the KTM team are determined to use it as a learning experience. MotoGP is a sport where even the smallest setup issues can lead to significant performance losses, and Binder knows that each difficult race provides valuable lessons for future improvement. KTM, known for its rapid development and constant pursuit of performance gains, will undoubtedly go back to the drawing board to analyze what went wrong in Indonesia and how they can improve for the upcoming races.
Binder remains optimistic despite the setback, acknowledging that tough races are part of the sport. “It’s never easy when you have a weekend like this, but it’s important to stay positive and keep working. We know we have a strong bike and team, and we just need to figure out what went wrong and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Sometimes you learn the most from weekends like this, so we’ll take the lessons and move forward.”
Binder’s Resilience and Future Prospects
One of the hallmarks of Brad Binder’s career has been his resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Known for his aggressive riding style and never-give-up attitude, Binder has faced tough races before and always returned stronger. His ability to remain focused, even when things aren’t going his way, has made him one of the most respected riders on the MotoGP grid.
Looking ahead, Binder and KTM will aim to regain their form in the remaining races of the season. With tracks that may suit the KTM’s strengths better than Mandalika, Binder will be eager to get back to challenging for podiums and victories. His goal remains to establish himself as a consistent front-runner and continue developing the KTM machine to compete with the likes of Ducati, Yamaha, and Honda.
Binder concluded his reflections on the Mandalika race with a sense of determination, stating, “It was a tough weekend, no doubt about it. But we’ll be back. I know what I’m capable of, and I know what this team is capable of. We’ll put this behind us, learn from it, and come back stronger.”
Brad Binder’s struggles at Mandalika highlighted the unpredictable nature of MotoGP, where even the best riders can find themselves fighting against both the track and their machine. His inability to push, combined with consistent lap times from the first to the last lap, made for a frustrating experience. However, Binder’s determination to learn from the weekend and his track record of resilience suggests that he will use this as fuel to return stronger in the upcoming races. For Binder and KTM, Mandalika may have been a difficult chapter, but the book of their season is far from finished.
