“Darryn Binder must be given time to adapt to MotoGP” - Xavi Vierge

New Honda WorldSBK rider Xavi Vierge says his former Petronas Sprinta stablemate Darryn Binder will only be able to prove he can succeed in making the jump from Moto3 to MotoGP if he is given time to adapt to the rigours of the premier class.

The Spaniard, who competed as part of the Petronas Sprinta set up in Moto2 for two seasons, was one of the riders being touted for a graduation to MotoGP with the Petronas SRT Yamaha set-up as part of team principal Razlan Razali’s project to promote burgeoning talent into the premier class.

However, after Petronas announced it was to withdraw its lucrative title backing - leading to the creation of a re-organised set-up named RNF Racing - Vierge says his aspirations of progressing to MotoGP began to wane when compared with the prospect of joining factory-backed Honda HRC for the 2022 WorldSBK season.

“At the beginning of the season we had the possibility to jump [to MotoGP] with the team. [We had] a really good plan but then came the time that they started to have problems with the sponsors, so it started to change the plan for the future.

“When we had the problems, we started the possibility of joining Honda, which for me is much better. We have the factory behind us and the objective is to give to us everything to fight for victories and the title. 

“As a rider, I like that [more] than to go to GP (with RNF). This is not for me, it’s not good, so I prefer to be a Honda factory rider with the possibility of everything.”

The RNF Yamaha seat would eventually go to Binder, who will subsequently become only the second rider in MotoGP’s modern era after Jack Miller to make the jump from Moto3.

When asked by Visordown how he thinks Binder will get on in the premier class, Vierge points to Miller’s status as a MotoGP title contender today but says his progression shows Binder will need time to show what he is capable of.

“We saw Jack do it and Jack is now in a factory team fighting for victories and the title. It’s true they gave him a bit of time, so we will see if they give the same time for Darryn to adapt to the category. 

“For sure, he spent many years in Moto3 and he achieved good results, so we will see if he is ready to adapt to the category and to see which bike he has. 

“I think the most important thing is that they give him the time to adapt.”