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Brad Binder Confirmed to Depart Red Bull KTM Factory Team for 2027 Season

◷ 4 min read Last updated 9 Jul 2026 · 18:02 BST

It's official: Brad Binder will leave the Red Bull KTM factory team at the end of the 2026 season, with his future in MotoGP now the subject of discussion.

In a significant move that will reshape the MotoGP grid, it has been confirmed that South African rider Brad Binder will not be racing for the Red Bull KTM factory team from the 2027 season onwards. This brings an end to a long and successful partnership that saw Binder rise through the ranks with the Austrian manufacturer.

The announcement came as KTM confirmed its new rider line-up for the 2027 and 2028 seasons will be Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. While Binder will see out his current contract, which runs until the end of 2026, his seat at the factory team will not be renewed.

What exactly has been announced?

KTM has made a decisive move for its future by signing two new riders for its main factory team. A ‘factory team’ is the official squad run directly by the manufacturer, in this case, KTM. They get the very latest technology and development parts first.

The team has signed current riders Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez to multi-year deals that begin in 2027. This means that from that season, the two official orange bikes will have new names on them, leaving no room for the team’s long-standing star, Brad Binder.

Brad Binder riding his Red Bull KTM race bike at speed through a corner during a MotoGP race.

Who is Brad Binder?

For anyone new to MotoGP, Brad Binder is one of the most exciting riders on the grid. Hailing from South Africa, he is famous for his aggressive, all-or-nothing riding style and his incredible ability to fight through the pack on race day, earning him the nickname ‘Sunday Man’.

His relationship with KTM is one of the longest in the . He won the Moto3 world championship with them in 2016 and raced for them in the intermediate Moto2 class before stepping up to their MotoGP team in 2020. He has been instrumental in developing their RC16 bike from a midfield contender into a race-winning machine.

Why is this change happening now?

MotoGP is heading for a huge shake-up in 2027 with the introduction of brand-new technical regulations. The rules that govern how the bikes are built are changing significantly — engines will be smaller (down from 1000cc to 850cc) and much of the complex (the wings and devices you see on the bikes) will be restricted.

Many teams view this ‘reset’ as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter, not just with their motorbikes but with their riders too. By signing Di Giannantonio and Marquez, KTM is setting out a completely new stall for this next era of MotoGP, believing this new pairing is the right choice for the new-style bikes.

Mechanics in Red Bull KTM team gear working on a MotoGP bike inside the team's professional pit garage.

So, where will Brad Binder go?

That is the big question, and for now, his future is unconfirmed. In his own words, the situation is currently “up in the air,” with a decision expected in the coming weeks. A rider of Binder’s talent and experience is a huge asset, so he will almost certainly have options.

He could move to another manufacturer’s factory team, should a seat become available. Alternatively, he could join a ‘satellite team’. These are independent teams that lease machinery from a factory. They are highly competitive and often provide a great environment for a top rider. For now, the racing world is watching closely to see where he lands.

What does this mean for the championship?

This news is a classic example of MotoGP’s ‘silly season’, the time of year when rider contracts are negotiated and the grid for future seasons takes shape. It shows that no rider, no matter how successful or loyal, is ever completely secure.

For KTM, it’s a bold gamble. They are letting go of a rider who understands their bike better than anyone in favour of a fresh start. For other teams, Binder’s availability is an unexpected opportunity to sign a proven race winner. It’s a major piece of the 2027 puzzle falling into place, and it’s sure to cause a ripple effect across the rest of the grid.

An empty chair inside the Red Bull KTM pit box, representing the vacant seat following a rider's departure announcement.

Quick Takeaways

  • Brad Binder will leave the official Red Bull KTM factory team at the end of the 2026 season.
  • KTM has signed Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez as its new factory riders from 2027.
  • The change coincides with major new technical rules being introduced to MotoGP in 2027.
  • Binder’s new team for 2027 and beyond has not yet been announced.

Quick questions

Q.Why are teams signing riders for 2027 so early?
Major new technical rules are coming in 2027, so teams want to secure their preferred riders early to build a stable project for the new era of bikes.
Q.Is Brad Binder leaving MotoGP?
No, he is only leaving the Red Bull KTM factory team. His future team for the 2027 season is currently being decided, but he is expected to remain in MotoGP.
Q.Who is replacing Brad Binder at KTM?
KTM has signed two new riders for its factory team from 2027: Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio and Spanish rider Alex Marquez.
Q.What is a 'factory' team?
A factory team is the official racing department of a manufacturer (like KTM, Ducati, or Yamaha). They build the bikes and generally have the biggest budgets and newest technology.