MotoGP 2022 rookies Remy Gardner and Darryn Binder have both admitted they’re unlikely to remain on the premier-class grid in 2023.
While Binder’s stay at RNF – currently a Yamaha team but contracted to run Aprilia bikes instead next year – has long looked like a long shot, Gardner’s future uncertainty is a much more recent development, with the reigning Moto2 champion having looked on course to remain with Tech3 for much of the year.
Gardner has not only been a match for highly-rated Tech3 team-mate Raul Fernandez, but has on the whole outperformed the Spaniard – but KTM’s public admonishment of his manager Paco Sanchez earlier in the year hinted a renewal wouldn’t be the easiest.
Tech3 officially bringing in Pol Espargaro – as part of the announcement that it would become the works Gas Gas MotoGP team next year – meant one of Gardner or Fernandez would have to make way, and it was long understood the latter would be the one separating from the KTM family.
However, while Fernandez’s exit was more or less confirmed by KTM during the Red Bull Ring weekend and he is expected to join RNF Aprilia, it has now emerged that KTM is apparently not looking to continue with Gardner either.
Asked about rumors that a seat next year was ‘not looking great’ for him, a despondent Gardner said in Austria: “No, it’s not. You just said it.
“In MotoGP, doesn’t look like there’s anything. Not sure.”
He then finished off his answer with a scathing “KTM’s done it again”.
It became evident that Gardner’s ride was in at least some danger when KTM higher-ups revealed during the Gas Gas announcement that they were still holding out hope of hanging on to current factory rider Miguel Oliveira, who they want to partner Espargaro.
If Oliveira were to agree to a Gas Gas deal, it would open up a seat at his other potential destination RNF Aprilia – yet Binder has made it pretty clear he doesn’t think his chances of staying at the team are at all improved.
“Right now I’m hoping to go to Moto2. Because it looks like MotoGP is not an option anymore,” he said.
“Not sure exactly where right now. I’m waiting for my manager to come up with some offers for me, and I’ll choose the best one! Let’s see what happens.”
Both Gardner and Binder all but ruling themselves out presents a curiosity, as whichever seat between Gas Gas and RNF is not taken up by Oliveira should in theory be available to at least one of the two.
Binder’s admission suggests that Oliveira may still take up the RNF offer, considering the only alternatives to Oliveira for the Razlan Razali-run team would theoretically be either Gardner or a Moto2 graduate – and Razali has made it clear he’s not keen on running a rookie in his first year with Aprilia.
If that is the situation, Gardner’s lack of faith in getting a Gas Gas ride suggests it may go to a KTM protege like Moto2 title contender Augusto Fernandez or rookie team-mate Pedro Acosta instead.
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