MotoGP: Binder Takes Smashing Victory In Austrian GP As Tyre Risk Pays Off

KTM rider Brad Binder took a smashing victory in the 2021 MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix after taking a massive tyre risk in the final stages. The rider continued on slicks even the rain gods seemed generous, while race leaders Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati, Jorge Martin of Pramac and Joan Mir of Suzuki pitted to change to wet tyres. The riders rejoined to finish second, third and fourth respectively in the final laps of the race.

On the podium - Brad Binder, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin

Jorge Martin started the race in pole position but it was Bagnaia who led the race for much of the dry part. However, Binder was the only rider of the lead group to not pit for wet tyres and was handsomely rewarded, picking up his second win in the premier class. Other riders including Iker Lecuona, Luca Marini and Valentino Rossi also rode on slicks till the chequered flag but were passed by the top riders who had switched to wets.

Marc Marquez was the only rider to switch to a soft rear slick on the grid as the weather showed signs of rain. Meanwhile, other riders stuck to medium or hard rubber. However, the weather remained largely rain-free for most of the race while Marquez showed no signs of fading on the soft. The Honda rider moved close to the leaders including Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo.

One of the great gambles in #MotoGP history!!!

Pure bravery, pure brilliance from @BradBinder_41 to claim victory on slicks! #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/Dp5YbseO5k

— MotoGP (@MotoGP) August 15, 2021

The rider moved up to P2 when the title rival ran wide with eight laps to go, with Bagnaia in the lead. As the rain moved into the second half, raindrops began falling with Marquez momentarily taking the lead from Bagnaia. However, the rain was heavy enough for Jack Miller of Ducati and Alex Rins into the pits to switch to wets with five laps to go.

Marquez initially edged clear of the riders as the rain intensified but with four laps to go, the rider was joined by Bagnaia, Quartararo, Martin and Mir to switch to wet tyres. This left Binder leading the race followed by Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia, followed by LCR's Takaaki Nakagami and Rossi. The Petronas SRT rider seemed to contend for the podium at one point but was soon passed by the wet group led by Marquez.

The rain has returned!!! @marcmarquez93 is all over @PeccoBagnaia with six to go! #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/YsX8yofkZZ

— MotoGP (@MotoGP) August 15, 2021

With one lap to go, Marquez was 33s adrift from the race leader Binder but fell on Turn 1, allowed Bagnaia to take second. The Ducati rider reduced the gap to 13s as he finished second, which was reduced to 9.9s after Binder received a 3-second penalty for exceeding track limits. Martin finished third, 1.5s behind Bagnaia while coming in P4 was Mir.

Securing the best-ever finish was Luca Marini of Tech 3 KTM taking P5 in his best-ever finish, while Iker Lecuona secured P6, ahead of Quartararo. The Yamaha rider climbed up to P7 as Johann Zarco of Pramac crashed before the rain. Rossi finished eighth after missing out on the podium with LCR's Alex Marquez and Espargaro rounding off the top 10.

Also Read: MotoGP: Yamaha Suspends Maverick Vinales For Austrian GP

Jack Miller finished in P11 ahead of Tech 3 KTM's Danilo Petrucci, while Nakagami secured P13 ahead of Alex Rins. Marquez recovered to finish in P15 taking the final point after crash on the penultimate lap. The final finishers were Pol Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow.

The Austrian GP saw Miguel Olveira, Johann Zarco, and Enea Bastianini retire from the race, while Maverick Vinales missed out after being suspended by Yamaha until further investigations into his actions during the Styrian GP.