Mandalika, Indonesia: In a scorching showcase of skill and determination at the Mandalika Street Circuit in Indonesia, KTM riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller weathered the intense heat to secure 6th and 7th positions in round fifteen of the 2023 MotoGP season, in front of a cheering crowd of 73,000.
As the first of six events in the next seven weeks, the Indonesian Grand Prix promised an electrifying start to this action-packed MotoGP season.
Brad Binder made a quick start but contact with another rider while battling for 3rd position on the second lap meant that the South African had to take a Long Lap penalty and dropped from 5th to 10th.
The Indonesian Grand Prix was a test of Binder’s resilience and determination. Despite facing two Long Lap penalties including one Long Lap penalty for an incident in Saturday’s sprint race, Binder’s competitive spirit shone through as he surged from 10th to 6th place by the end of the grueling 27-lap race. His outstanding performance more than made up for the blameless crash he experienced during the Saturday Sprint.
Jack Miller, on the other hand, showcased his improved race day starting skills after the Saturday Sprint. He pushed his way from 10th on the grid to a commendable 7th place finish, just days before he enters the spotlight at his home Grand Prix.
With the picturesque Phillip Island circuit on the horizon, the MotoGP paddock looks forward to the upcoming challenges. Known for its technicality and high-speed nature, this iconic track promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the 2023 MotoGP season.
Reflecting on his performance and looking ahead to the next race, Brad Binder said, “Two Long Laps and I deserved them both. Considering everything we were lucky to finish 6th and to reach the flag. Phillip Island is my favorite track in the calendar, we just need to protect the tire there. I’ve had good feeling in the past so I hope it will be a positive weekend.”
Jack Miller was satisfied with his performance in Indonesia, reflecting, “Happy enough with the performance this weekend and we had a strong showing. I made a couple of little mistakes that cost us a bit of time but in general a decent pace at the end of race, which is always a positive in these hot conditions. The bike was working well.”
Francesco Guidotti, the Red Bull KTM Team Manager, summed up, “An intense race. For Jack it was solid. He recovered ground to the leaders then kept the position. He suffered a bit with the front tire with ten laps to go but kept steady and finished with some points. It was difficult and the tire choice was not clear but he made the right decision for himself. Brad finished 6th with two long laps! A very fast race for him.
The Indonesian Grand Prix showcased the grit and determination of Brad Binder and Jack Miller, as they overcame challenging conditions. With the season progressing and several exciting races on the horizon, fans can look forward to more thrilling moments in the 2023 MotoGP championship.