Publications
Partners
• Darryn Binder is on the cusp of making his MotoGP debut in 2022.
• The rider is the brother of two-time MotoGP race winner, Brad Binder.
• If successful, Darryn will race for SRT Yamaha next year.
• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24
Two South African riders will line up on the MotoGP grid next year if all goes to plan. Darryn Binder, younger brother of two-time MotoGP race winner Brad, could be on the cusp of making his debut in the premier class in 2022. Darry had a test run on Yamaha's R1 Superbike at Brno on Tuesday (17 August), with a successful outing leading to a possible contract with the SRT Yamaha team.
Binder currently races in Moto3 for the SRT team, but a jump to MotoGP will see him become the first rider to do so since Jack Miller in 2015.
The SRT MotoGP team needs two riders for 2022 after massive developments in the driver market leading up to the new season.
Big changes at Yamaha
SRT Yamaha is a satellite team to the Yamaha factory team, with it not uncommon for riders from either team to transfer from one team to the other. Binder's chance at a seat with SRT Yamaha comes after the factory team announced that current rider Maverick Vinales will not be racing for them next year.
His impending departure created an opportunity for Franco Morbidelli to be promoted from SRT Yamaha to the factory team. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, another SRT Yamaha rider, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 season, which means that Yamaha's satellite team must fill both seats.
SRT Yamaha had two prospects in mind for their bikes - Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, both Moto2 riders. Unfortunately for SRT Yamaha, Fernandez has been signed to the KTM Tech 3 MotoGP team on a two-year deal, while Bezzecchi will make his premier class debut for Rossi's newly founded VR46 Ducati team. These developments and his stellar performances in 2021 prompted SRT Yamaha to reach out to Binder.
SRT Yamaha will look to Moto2 riders Xavi Vierge and Jake Dixon as possible riders for the second bike.
After Binder's test on the R1 on Thursday, several publications are speculating his jump to the premier racing class as news of Petronas decision to end its SRT sponsorship has emerged earlier this week. According to Autosport.com, SRT has confirmed the team will make an announcement at the British Grand Prix next weekend.
There will also no longer be full factory support, but rather two 'B-spec' Yamaha bikes for the 2022 season, Autosport.com has reported.
Read the original article here.
