Brad Binder revealed he thought at times “it was all over” while trying to guide his KTM home to win the Austrian Grand Prix on slicks in sodden conditions.
The South African gambled on staying out with only three laps remaining at the Red Bull Ring while the rest of the lead pack peeled into the pits to change over to their wet-prepared machines, Binder having run sixth prior to the rain making an appearance with only half-a-dozen tours remaining.
Despite dropping a mammoth 15 seconds to the wet-shod Francesco Bagnaia on the final circulation, Binder ultimately did enough to take the chequered flag 9.9 seconds clear of the Ducati charger, despite also receiving a three-second penalty after touching the green astro on the exterior of the final bend on the last lap.
Binder explained post-race how he believed his chances were “over” in the final tours as he completely lost temperature in his tyres and brakes, though affirmed he felt he’d rather “risk it and crash” than secure just score solid points.
“When I saw everyone tipping into the pits I saw an opportunity,” said Binder.
“I decided I’d rather risk it and crash over maybe getting a top five (if stopping), it’s a big grand prix for KTM and Red Bull, I’ve won here in Moto2 so I know what it’s like to win at their home grand prix so to do it in MotoGP is an incredible feeling.
“It was a huge gamble, but I’m glad it paid off.
“There was only three laps left when they pitted so I knew if I didn’t come in when they did I wouldn’t have pitted at all, and I made it to the end so it all worked out.
“The biggest problem was no brakes because the carbon discs went completely cold, and as soon as the rear tyre went cold I couldn’t open the throttle either so somehow I made it back around, a couple times I thought it was over but I managed to keep it up straight and I’m so happy.”
Binder added that crucial information from brother Darryn garnered from his own risky strategy to run slicks in slippy conditions in last weekend’s Styrian Moto3 contest was key to him electing to stay out and claim his second premier class success, the 2016 Moto3 world champion admitting he was “craving” a rostrum having not scored one in over a year.
“The hardest thing for me was the last lap because I knew I had nine seconds to second place, but that isn’t enough when you’re on slicks and they’re on wets and I didn’t know whether the guy behind was on wets or slicks,” continued Binder.
“I decided to just go as quick as I could, and I think if I’d have not tried at all I’d have gone faster because I went off at Turn 1 and then barely stayed on track after that because I couldn’t really stop or accelerate, but I don’t really care because it worked.
“One of my Dad’s favourite sayings is fortune favours the brave, and one thing for sure is I remember my brother (Darryn) telling me there is good grip in the wet even on the slicks, so that had a lot to do with my decision.
“I beg to differ considering how it was on the last lap, but to take the chequered flag first was unbelievable.
“I really needed today and was craving a podium, I can’t remember the last time I’d gone a year without standing on the podium and all I wanted last night was to leave here with a podium and it would have been a lot harder had I pitted. “
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