Binder left wanting more after ending AragonGP seventh

Darryn Binder ends Moto3 race at MotorLand Aragon seventh; Syarifuddin Azman 13th and claims three points on debut

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’s Darryn Binder experienced an ultimately disappointing Gran Premio de Aragon, ending the race seventh after starting on pole, while Syarifudding Azman [Damok] was 13th and scored points with an impressive Moto3 debut.

Binder had a perfect start to the AragonGP from pole position, taking the holeshot and holding onto his place throughout the opening corners. Despite finding himself falling back to ninth, the South African kept himself inside the leading group for the majority of the race. Unfortunately Darryn lost contact with them in the closing stages and ultimately ended the race in seventh. He maintains sixth place in the championship standings with 104 points.

Damok also held onto his 21st position off the line and claimed two places in the opening two laps of the race, to move into 19th. Battling hard with those riders around him, the Malaysian was able to gain another place just before the halfway point. Continuing to be competitive in the final laps and setting strong lap times until the chequered flag, Damok crossed the MotorLand Aragon finish line in an impressive 13th and claimed three points in a great debut Moto3 race.

There will be no rest for PETRONAS Sprinta Racing, as they now head to Misano for the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini (17-19 September).

Johan Stigefelt, Team Director: “Darryn had a good start from pole, but we knew that the race would be difficult because we are lacking a bit of speed. Unfortunately this meant that it was not possible for him to stay with the leading riders and fight for the top three positions. He couldn’t do more today. We have some things to look at and it’s important to fix it, we need to increase this speed for the next race.”

It was a great race from Damok, finishing 13th in his first appearance in the Moto3 World Championship is a big achievement. There aren’t many riders that have done that and it’s been so nice to see him working so well with the team. I thought he had good pace and if he could stay with the pack then anything could happen. Thank you to Damok and all the crew for the good work and good result today.

Darryn Binder, 7th (+2.133): “It was a really difficult race and I’m not sure what changed between yesterday and today, but we were missing some speed. I’m not happy with that or the result, so the team and I will have to look at what happened and why. It’s disappointing because I did feel really strong ahead of it; I was able to catch up in the corners but just couldn’t stay with the other riders in the straight. I need to look at the positives because overall it has been a good weekend and I’m really happy with how the weekend has gone, apart from the race.“

Syarifuddin Azman, 13th (+9.645): I’m so happy with today’s race and I just want to thank PETRONAS Sprinta Racing for giving me this opportunity. To finish my debut Moto3 race with some points makes me really happy. It was a difficult race but each lap I just tried to follow the other riders, learn from them and then move forward when I could. It was a little scary making the overtakes against World Championship riders, but I’m pleased that I was able to do so. I have learned so much and thank you again to the team for giving me a great bike.