KTM’s South African rider Brad Binder has hit out at Luca Marini’s claim that he should have received a penalty following their battle in Saturday’s French Grand Prix sprint race in Le Mans.
Binder made an overtake on Marini during the race which sent the Ducati rider into a spin. Marini was upset because sanctions were not handed out for overtakes that result in contact following a new decision from the latest stewards meeting.
Binder however insists he did not make contact with Marini and called the Italian’s claim “bull****”.
“For me, that’s absolute bull****. I never touched him,” Binder said after the Sprint race.
“There was no contact so what do you want to penalise me for? He didn’t even go over the curb. What did I do wrong?”
Binder finished the sprint in second place behind winner Jorge Martin, and was pleased with how his race went.
“I got a great start again and managed to get past a lot of guys earlier on,” the 27-year-old continued. “When I saw the opportunity I just really wanted to do my own race.
“Marc [Marquez] and Pecco [Bagnaia] were fighting with each other through three and four and saw them going so tight into four, so I saw my opportunity to do a little cutback and it worked perfectly.
“I managed to pass them both and it gave me the chance to really focus on Jorge and try and put my head. I tried to catch him obviously, but that didn’t work.”
Binder’s second place finish in the sprint has taken him to second in the world championship standings, 23 points behind current leader and defending champion Francesco Bagnaia.
When quizzed if he saw himself in the championship fight, Binder stated he prefers to enjoy the moment and see where it leads him to.
“I’ve been second in the championship after Qatar last year but it just didn’t last very long,” the Potchefstroom native continued.
“The year is long. With this new format – like you said I was ninth and then second. We need to enjoy the moment, enjoy the podiums and keep fighting.
“It’s exciting but it’s such a long year and things can change in a heartbeat. It’s a dream and can become a reality. Who knows.”
Binder will start Sunday’s race in 10th on the grid based on his result during Saturday’s qualifying session.
