Aleix Espargaro critical of Darryn Binder’s ‘strange’ Moto3 to MotoGP move
Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro is critical of Darryn Binder's impending Moto3 to MotoGP move, saying his form in the quarter-litre class isn't good enough
Aleix Espargaro has expressed his confusion over the decision to promote Darryn Binder from Moto3 right into MotoGP for the 2022 season, branding it the ‘strangest movement’ he has ever seen in his life.
Binder - younger brother of KTM MotoGP race winner Brad - will become only the second rider in the modern era of Moto3 to progress directly into the MotoGP class next season, echoing the transition of Jack Miller in 2015.
However, while Miller’s move was softened by him being promoted onto the production-engined LCR Honda, Binder will move straight from the quarter-litre class right onto a ‘full fat’ Yamaha M1 prepared by the soon-to-be-rebranded RNF Racing team he competes with in Moto3 (under Petronas Sprinta Racing).
Though Binder’s move has been supported by Miller, experienced rider Espargaro - who will enter into his 13th season of MotoGP in 2022 - says he supports the idea of an F1-style ‘Superlicence’ which stipulates drivers can only compete in the premier series if they have accrued enough credits in other divisions to qualify for such a sizeable move.
“It’s a super strange situation, I agree that there should be a Super License or something like that,” the Aprilia rider said. “I prefer not to comment much on this movement, but I do not like it.
“It’s something I don’t understand, I don’t understand anything about this movement, it’s not that I don’t like it… but I can’t find a reason for it, it’s the strangest movement I’ve ever seen (laughs).
Should a MotoGP Superlicence be introduced?
Though Binder doesn’t have a sparkling record in Moto3 - with just a single win from seven seasons in the series - Espargaro wonders whether his lanky frame is disguising his true pace, but still believes he should be in Moto2 instead.
“The only thing that perhaps can justify it is that he is a very tall rider and that Moto3 is too small for him, but that’s what Moto2 is for.
“He is not a rider who has many victories or podiums, nor has he finished among the top three in the Moto3 world, and go straight to MotoGP… I don’t know, something escapes me.”
