Brad Binder believes KTM needs to prioritize gaining a deeper understanding of its RC16 motorcycle before making any significant changes for the 2025 MotoGP season. The South African rider pointed to small but crucial areas, such as braking, turning, and grip, that require refinement to bridge the performance gap.
After the recent post-season test in Barcelona, Binder acknowledged that KTM’s 2024 bike still has unresolved issues. While there have been some improvements compared to previous models, the team’s future remains uncertain amid financial challenges and speculation about a development freeze for 2025. Despite finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship, KTM lagged behind Ducati by a staggering 395 points, extending its winless streak for another year.
Rookie Pedro Acosta stood out for the team with nine podium finishes, including sprint races, while Binder managed just two podiums during the season, both at the Qatar opener. Asked whether KTM needs a significant overhaul for 2025, Binder emphasized:
“I think we need big understanding first. Once we understand everything, we can then start to make small steps in each area. It’s not necessarily one big step. It’s literally a tiny bit in braking, a tiny bit in turning, a little bit in drive grip. That’s the only way we’re going to make up the difference.”
Binder also reflected on the team’s challenges adapting to changes in bike balance, which he believes were influenced by Michelin’s rear tire.
“This year, we had to drastically change the bike’s balance for some reason. It was tough to pinpoint because working within our usual setup parameters didn’t yield much difference. We had to take more radical steps to feel any changes. Late in the season, things started making a little more sense.”
He speculated that the rear tire likely played a role in the bike’s handling issues:
“The rear tire definitely has more grip, but without a back-to-back comparison with the 2023 tire, it’s hard to say definitively. When you return after a year, you’re so rusty that everything feels different.”
Binder’s comments underscore KTM’s need for strategic refinement rather than sweeping changes, as the team prepares for a critical 2025 season.
