Top ten finish for Brad in Silverstone Sprint Race
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing mixed the rough with the smooth for the first two days of the British Grand Prix and the event that brought the series back to speed after a month’s hiatus.
A freak summer UK storm brought varying conditions at round nine of twenty in 2023 MotoGP: chilly but dry on Friday to soaking wet on Saturday for qualification and the ninth Sprint of the year. Silverstone swung wildly in its technical challenge and the fast, 18-corner and 5.6km length layout tested the teams and riders immensely in terms of traction and versatility of performance in the changing climate.
Red Bull KTM started the British Grand Prix in a formidable vein. Brad Binder was consistently competitive near the top of the time sheets. Both Brad and teammate Jack Miller managed direct Q2 entry Friday afternoon and then braced themselves for the rain on Saturday that slowed the pace and created a lottery in terms of grip and precision. Brad qualified in 10th.
The Sprint was a cagey and cautious affair. The track began to dry as the worst of the rain disappeared. Brad circulated in the latter half of the top ten after catching up from a miscued start. He ensured he made the flag and was the final points-scorer in 9th.
MotoGP will run the full 20-lap distance on Sunday and at the usual CEST time of 14.00 (13.00 local). The weather forecast is for significantly drier skies.
Brad Binder
10th in qualification, 9th in the Sprint:“I kept spinning when I released the clutch on the grid and was almost last when I went into Turn 1. I cooked the tire in the first laps as I pushed to come back but I didn’t really give myself any other option. We struggled with overheating the tire and laying down some traction but we learned for the future in the wet. I hope it is dry tomorrow because I had a great feeling here yesterday. I think tomorrow will be a lot more interesting.”