Binder: Turbulence behind other riders 'insane', easy to 'make mistakes'

Having never rode anything bigger than a Moto3 in the wet previously, MotoGP rookie Darryn Binder says the first few laps in the rain at Sepang left him 'quite scared'.

Robert Jones

06 Feb 2022

Darryn Binder, MotoGP, Sepang MotoGP test 6 February 2022
© Gold and Goose

Darryn Binder’s bid to improve his overall positioning on day-two of the Sepang MotoGP test ended in vain after finishing 25th.

While Binder did improve his pace by nearly a full second during today’s final day, the South African was still half a second shy of Franco Morbidelli in 24th.

Despite his positioning on the timing sheets, Binder was pleased with the ‘overall’ performance, while afternoon rain at Sepang provided a chance for the 24 year-old to complete his first laps with the Michelin wets, something that left the RNF Yamaha rider initially ‘quite scared’.

Speaking after day-two, Binder added: "Unfortunately, just after lunch it started to rain, but being a rookie that was great because it gave me a chance to go out on the wets for the first time ever on a big bike. That was very interesting.

"I was quite scared to go out but it was fun and I enjoyed it. In my eyes it’s been a very positive two days.

"We got faster and faster and that’s exactly what I wanted to do. I would have liked to be even faster, but anyway, you gotta walk before you run. I felt like these two days were very positive."

During the two-day test Binder also got his first impression of riding with other riders, including team-mate Andrea Dovizioso which he called 'really cool' although the turbulence was 'insane' and made it very easy to make mistakes.

"Yesterday I got out once or twice and rode a little bit behind Dovi. I wasn’t super close but just in the distance," said Binder "This morning I actually got behind a couple of guys and that was very interesting.

"When you want to do a fast lap it’s actually more difficult when you get behind someone because you know the slipstream is going to suck you in and you can make a mistake. When I wanted to go fast I was better off on my own. I mean even being passed.

"I got passed on the straight today and the turbulence from the bike when it gets in front of you is really insane.

"It’s definitely about getting used to things and learning things. I got to a point where I was doing okay lap times and if the guys weren’t on brand new tyres then I could ride amongst them. That was really cool. I enjoyed that."