Is SRT Yamaha lining up Darryn Binder for Moto3 to MotoGP leap?

Moto3 racer Darryn Binder has emerged as the latest rider to be linked with a sensational move up two categories after being linked to the SRT Yamaha for the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season.

The South African - younger brother of KTM MotoGP rider Brad Binder - competes with the associated Petronas Sprinta Racing team in the quarter-litre Moto3 class, but is being touted for a sizeable leap right up into MotoGP for 2022.

It comes as the Malaysian outfit considers candidates for next year, a list that has been dwindling despite its race-winning credentials.

As such, rumours are growing that it could think outside the box for its options, which seemingly include giving Binder a double promotion into the premier class, despite only having one Moto3 race win to his name in five seasons of trying.

Only one rider - Jack Miller - has leapt from Moto3 straight into MotoGP since the novice class replaced 125GP in 2012, though even that was softened by him being promoted onto the production-engined LCR Honda in 2015.

Should Binder get the nod, he will be among three brother pairings racing in MotoGP, together with Marc and Alex Marquez, plus Pol and Aleix Espargaro.

Who are the other candidates for SRT Yamaha MotoGP ride?

The fact Binder is being considered is something of an indictment of SRT Yamaha’s current predicament.

The Malaysian backed team was a six-time race winner in 2020 and runner-up with Franco Morbidelli but has been beset by a series of blows in recent weeks.

Officially speaking, Morbidelli is confirmed to one of the seats but is widely tipped to be promoted into the Factory Yamaha team in place of Maverick Vinales. With Valentino Rossi announcing his retirement, it  means SRT Yamaha has two seats to fill.

With Toprak Razgatlioglu turning down a ride in favour WorldSBK, Yamaha preferring to keep Garrett Gerloff where he is and Raul Fernandez held onto by KTM, SRT Yamaha has seen its top picks go by the wayside.

Latest rumours suggest Marco Bezzecchi could be targeted but he might feel more at home on the VR46 Ducati, while its Moto2 racer Xavi Vierge’s chances are looking increasingly strong.

However, there is still the matter of which bikes the team will be able to race in 2022. Paddock rumours suggest the team was already in some financial difficulty even before it was confirmed big budget sponsor Petronas was pulling out at the end of the year.

As such, it could be forced to make do with year-old M1s in 2022, putting it at a disadvantage to the on-spec entries at Pramac Ducati, LCR Honda and Tech 3 KTM.