KTM confirms SA’s Brad Binder will retain his MotoGP ride for 2021 season

South African rider Brad Binder and Portuguese Miguel Oliveira will represent Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2021.

Binder was set to make his MotoGP debut this season but has seen that delayed by the ongoing health crisis.

Binder extends relationship with Red Bull KTM

Red Bull KTM said in a statement: “The South African and Portuguese, former Moto3™ and Moto2™ teammates, will reunite in the premier class. 

“KTM will extend their purposeful attack on MotoGP by welcoming and harnessing the experience and GP-winning speed of Danilo Petrucci who will partner Iker Lecuona at Red Bull KTM Tech3 for the ’21 campaign. All four racers will steer works KTM RC16s.”

Binder, 24, has yet to make his MotoGP debut in 2020 but has inked a new contract to remain in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colours for 2021. The South African has been part of the Red Bull KTM family since 2015 and became the company’s third Moto3 World Champion in 2016; all of his 15 GP victories have come ‘in orange’.

Miguel Oliveira moves into the factory set-up alongside Binder for what will be his third term in MotoGP and his sixth stint in total with KTM. The 25-year old will have completed two campaigns as part of Red Bull KTM Tech3 even if 2019 was curtailed by a shoulder problem. Oliveira impressed with nine points-scoring results and a strong top eight classification at the Grand Prix of Austria in his rookie season during 2019.

A working relationship

KTM are eager for Binder and Oliveira to spark the best in one another and add to their six double podiums as teammates.

“Binder and Oliveira are familiar with each other’s characters and working methods having previously been teammates in the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad in Moto3 in 2015 and then Moto2 in 2017 and 2018. 

“They have appeared on a Grand Prix podium together six times: notably three in a row towards the end of the 2017 Moto2 championship.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “It gives me great pleasure to stick these four hungry guys together for our MotoGP program. 

“Brad and Miguel have a productive working relationship and have shown the talent and the desire to win races through all stages of Grand Prix. 

“We believe they have the determination necessary to push our MotoGP project forward. 

“The same goes for Red Bull KTM Tech3 where we’re happy to bring Danilo into the family. His experience counts for a lot but we’re also banking on a rider that is committed and with the right attitude. We believe he still has something to show in MotoGP. 

“On one side we are investing in MotoGP front-runners ‘of the future’ but they could easily become stars already in 2021 and that would be exciting to see. 

“We have two set-ups, but really it is one big team with all four athletes on the same bikes and with the same possibilities. 

“Our riders’ development and success will be a great KTM story and it will taste even sweeter to take these guys to new heights in such a tough competition.”

Binder revved up

Binder is brimming with excitement ahead of a debut that could come in Red Bull’s home country.

“I’m incredibly excited to be able to have another season on the Red Bull Factory Racing RC16 and I’m really looking forward to getting this year underway and my first MotoGP race under my belt,” Binder said speaking of his contract extension. 

“It’s an honour to have this opportunity, and I’m looking at a bright future with KTM and some great times to come.”