Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF Racing MotoGP) is getting set to make the leap from Moto3™ to MotoGP™ in 2022, so it’s time to get to know the South African’s journey to the pinnacle a little better.
Another graduate of the Red Bull Rookies Cup and younger brother of South African 2016 Moto3™ World Champion Brad Binder, Darryn Binder faced his first full season in 2015. It was a difficult debut season, but with Platinum Bay Real Estate in 2016, the South African made real inroads, including bagging a fourth place at Phillip Island.
For 2017, Binder remained with the team, and made big progress despite an injury – taking top 10s, points finishes and a best of fourth. In 2018, he moved to Red Bull KTM Ajo in a single rider team. However, it was a tougher than expected season until the latter races, where Binder finally earned his first podium at the Japanese GP.
A switch to CIP Green Power came for 2019, adding his second rostrum at the Argentine GP. No more podiums were scored for Binder, but for 2020, he was confident of being able to rub shoulders with the usual race leaders. And Binder did so. The number 40 secured his first Grand Prix victory at the Catalan GP, and a 2nd position came his way at the Aragon GP.
2021 then saw him make the move to Petronas Sprinta Racing. Binder was one of the title favourites ahead of the season, and a P3 and P2 at Losail to kick off the season was a promising start. However, Binder would go the rest of the season without standing on the podium. His height and weight caused him some issues on the small Moto3™ machines, and despite being a constant threat at the spearhead of the field, Binder wouldn’t mount a title challenge.
However, Binder’s talent has always been apparent. And in 2022, Binder will do something only Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) has done in recent years – move from Moto3™ straight to MotoGP™. Razlan Razali’s new WithU Yamaha RNF Racing MotoGP team, formally Petronas Yamaha SRT, have taken Binder under their wing as an enthralling challenge awaits the South African, who will compete in the premier class alongside his brother Brad.