RiderTua.com – Unlike the Slipstream Moto3 (250cc), Darryn Binder said the slipstream in MotoGP (1000cc) is very scary. “At the start of the race it was really scary. Especially when we come out of the slipstream and feel the air turbulence. Also when we brake behind other riders it really sucks us in, so I have to concentrate a lot,” he said. A controversial topic before the start of the season was the promotion of Darryn Binder from the Moto3 class straight to MotoGP in the newly founded WithU Yamaha MotoGP team. . However, in the season-opening race in Qatar, the South African rider appeared surprising and finished 16th. Although she failed to gain her first championship points in the premier class and is 41.1 seconds behind winner Enea Bastianini. Darryn became the second best rookie behind Remy Gardner (Tech3-KTM). He left Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati) and Raul Fernandez (Tech3-KTM) behind him.
Darryn Binder: MotoGP Slipstream Is Scary!
In qualifying, Darryn Binder only managed to occupy the 24th or last position on the grid. But after the first lap he managed to climb to the 21st position. “I learned more in the 22 laps of the race than in the more than 100 laps during the test. This race was not easy for me, I kept having various problems. Crash in qualifying is also not good. I feel like I can get better in every training session but it never works,” said Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM) brother.
Therefore, the 24-year-old rider set a simple target for his first MotoGP race. Darryn said, “My main target is to finish the race and learn as much as possible in 22 laps. I had a good start, even if I was a little scared when I entered the first corner. I don’t know if the brakes are warm enough and how the full tank reacts when braking, which makes me a little nervous.”
“But at the end of the first lap, I realized that I was quite fast compared to the riders in front of me, so I started to overtake them. Starting from lap 5, the tires wear slowly, so I thought I would be in big trouble. But once I changed the mapping and calmed down a bit, everything went really well.”
Remy Gardner harshly criticized Darryn’s actions.
When asked what was the biggest difference between Moto3 and MotoGP racing, Darryn replied, “Of course, the difference is huge. The start of the race was really scary. Especially when we come out of the slipstream and feel the air turbulence. Also when we brake behind other riders it really pulls us in, so I have to concentrate a lot.”
“I was afraid that if I braked to the normal braking point because of the extra speed from the slipstream, I would no longer be able to corner. In the end I was able to overtake some of the riders, which gave me confidence. During the test, I was overtaken by countless racers. But I never had the chance to overtake anyone.”
