P1racenews AI automatic summary:
KTM is giving Brad Binder a new crew chief for 2026, off the back of Binder’s worst MotoGP season yet. How much difference does such a change actually make, though?
Brad Binder’s MotoGP season took a major turn as KTM made their second crew chief change of his premier-class career. Despite early success with Sergio Verbena, Binder was reunited with Andres Madrid for the 2025 season, which proved challenging with Pedro Acosta outperforming him. Binder expressed disappointment with his performance, finishing 11th after four previous top-six seasons.
The emotional shake-up saw Madrid moved to Enea Bastianini’s side at Tech3, ending their long partnership. While grateful for Madrid’s support, Binder acknowledged the need for change and thanked him for his contributions. KTM’s decision to separate the successful duo was a strategic move to address recurring issues and bring in a top-tier replacement in Phil Marron.
Marron, known for his success in World Superbikes, was a sought-after choice for Binder’s new crew chief. Despite initial concerns, the first contact between Binder and Marron at the Valencia test showed promise, indicating a potentially strong partnership ahead.
