New Honda WorldSBK rider Xavi Vierge says his former Petronas Sprinta stablemate Darryn Binder can only prove that he can make the leap from Moto3 to MotoGP if given time to adapt to the rigors of the premier class.
The Spaniard, who competed in Moto2 for two seasons as part of the Petronas Sprinta, was one of the riders touted for a degree in MotoGP with the Petronas SRT Yamaha setup as part of team principal Razlan Razali’s project to encourage growth Talent in the premier class.
However, after Petronas announced that it would withdraw its lucrative title defense – leading to the creation of a reorganized team called RNF Racing – Vierge said his ambitions to move up to MotoGP were beginning to dwindle compared to the prospect of moving to the factory. supported Honda HRC for the 2022 WorldSBK season.
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“At the beginning of the season we had the opportunity to jump [to MotoGP] with the team. [We had] a really good plan, but then there came a point when they started having problems with the sponsors, so they started changing the plan going forward.
“When we had the problems we started with the possibility of switching to Honda, which for me is much better. We’re out of the factory and the goal is to do our best to fight for wins and the title.
“As a driver, I like it [more] than going to the GP (with RNF). It’s not for me, it’s not good, so I’d rather be a factory Honda rider with the possibilities of everything.”
The RNF Yamaha seat would eventually go to Binder, who would go on to become the second rider in the modern MotoGP era, after Jack Miller, to make the leap out of Moto3.
Asked by Visordown how he thinks Binder will progress in the premier class, Vierge points to Miller’s status as a MotoGP title contender but says his progress shows Binder will need time to show what he’s capable of .
“We saw Jack do it and Jack is now on a factory team fighting for wins and the title. True, they gave him some time, so we’ll see if they give Darryn the same time to adjust to the category.
“Sure he has spent many years in Moto3 and got good results so we will see if he is ready to adapt to the category and see what bike he has.
“I think the most important thing is that they give him the time to adjust.”