Brad Binder has accepted the blame and apologised for causing two major crashes at the the Indonesian MotoGP on Sunday.
The South African and KTM rider first hit VR46 Racing’s Luca Marini before forcing Aprilia Gresini’s Miguel Oliveira wide off the Mandalika Street Circuit.
Binder received a long lap penalty for each incident but still manged to finish sixth, before going to visit the angry Marini who accepted his apology.
“This was been a difficult weekend for us. Fast on new tyres but we only found decent pace in the race, I struggled in the beginning [in the sprint race],” Binder said.
“I didn’t get a bad start, it was okay, I was figuring out the medium tyre which I hadn’t used since Friday.
“I really deserved both long lap penalties. Sorry to both riders and both teams.”
Was that the longest race ever? ????
Two long lap penalties for @BradBinder_33 who still managed to cross the line in 6️⃣th. @jackmilleraus closely followed in 7️⃣th.
Well done team. Points are what’s important down the line! ????#KTM #ReadyToRace #IndonesianGP ????????
— Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) October 15, 2023
Binder further added: “It doesn’t matter what happens, you have a responsibility to not hit anybody on track, to not put anybody else in danger.
“I had it earlier in the day when my brakes opened but hadn’t had it in the race.
“I thought the guys had fixed my problem but the reality is, if you get head-shake, they open.
“I was very lucky that I still had a bit of pressure. Had I had nothing, who I would’ve hit? What would’ve happened? It would have been at a much higher speed.
“Unfortunately things like this can happen. I’m really sorry to them.
“It’s never anyone’s intention to create an outcome like this for anyone else’s race.”
Binder remains in fourth place in the championship standings behind Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
