Aleix Espargaro has expressed confusion over the decision to promote Darryn Binder direct from Moto3 to MotoGP for the 2022 season, calling it the “strangest move” he has ever seen in his life.
Binder – the younger brother of KTM MotoGP race winner Brad – will be only the second rider in the modern Moto3 era to climb straight into the MotoGP class next season, reflecting Jack Miller’s move in 2015.
While Miller’s switch was softened by his promotion to the LCR-Honda with a production engine, Binder switched directly from the quarter-liter class to a “full fat” Yamaha M1 from the soon to be renamed RNF Racing. is made by the team with which he competes in Moto3 (under Petronas Sprinta Racing).
Though Binder’s move was supported by Miller, veteran rider says Espargaro – who in his 13th place in 2022 will have amassed enough credits in other divisions to qualify for such a big move.
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“It’s a super strange situation, I agree that there should be a super license or something like that,” said the Aprilia driver. “I prefer not to comment much on this move, but I don’t like it.
“It’s something I don’t understand, I don’t understand anything about this movement, it’s not that I don’t like it … but I can’t find a reason for it, it’s the strangest movement I’ve ever seen (laughs) .
Should a MotoGP super license be introduced?
Though Binder doesn’t have a brilliant record in Moto3 – with just a single win from seven seasons in the series – Espargaro wonders if his lanky frame hides his true pace, but still believes he should be in Moto2 instead.
“The only thing that can possibly justify it is that he’s a very big rider and Moto3 is too small for him, but that’s what Moto2 is for.
“He’s not a rider who has a lot of victories or podium places, nor has he ended up in the top three in the Moto3 world and goes straight to MotoGP … I don’t know, I’m missing something.”