BINDER’S QATAR GP ENDS IN RETIREMENT AFTER GEARBOX TROUBLE

Brad Binder’s Qatar Grand Prix ended in a retirement, capping a difficult weekend for the KTM rider at a circuit where he had finished second in both the sprint and the full race in 2024. The South African’s latest result did not change his position in the championship, but it left him without a point from either race in Losail.

Binder made it directly into Q2 on Friday, narrowly beating KTM teammate Pedro Acosta to the final qualifying stage. However, he was still a second off Marc Marquez’s benchmark. Binder qualified 12th, and his pace did not improve as the weekend progressed. In Saturday’s sprint, he finished 12th and scored no points, unable to make a move despite starting alongside an injured Jorge Martin, who charged towards the front.

Sunday brought more frustration. Binder gained no places at the start and spent much of the race behind Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer, who was working his way back after a long-lap penalty. Binder could not find a way past. His race ended on lap 15 when a technical problem left him unable to change gears.

“There's not much to say. The race wasn't particularly great all round,” Binder said. “A few laps from the end I had some problems changing gear a few times, then vibrations started, and eventually I couldn't change gears at all.”

KTM’s overall weekend was also disappointing. Three of its four bikes reached Q2 on Saturday, but only two scored points, and the manufacturer missed out on a podium. Acosta suffered two technical problems during sessions that did not award points, while Binder’s issue stopped him in the Grand Prix itself.

Binder remains 12th in the standings with two rounds left in his MotoGP career. He is 11 points behind Aldeguer and one ahead of Luca Marini. The South African is set to move to BMW’s Superbike programme.