Brad Binder Reveals the Truth About Miguel Oliveira’s Untouchable Speed

The MotoGP paddock is buzzing with speculation about the future of Miguel Oliveira, and one of his biggest supporters has stepped forward: former teammate Brad Binder. With Oliveira’s Pramac Yamaha seat already lost for 2026 and his future uncertain, Binder has called the Portuguese rider “too fast not to be here,” highlighting his talent and determination while expressing hope that something big will emerge to keep him in the premier class.

Binder Stands Up for His Former Teammate

Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira share a long history. The two riders battled side by side in Moto3, Moto2, and later reunited in MotoGP under the KTM banner. Speaking recently, Binder emphasized just how special Oliveira can be when everything clicks.

“I’ve had Miguel as a teammate for many years, and when this guy is on fire, he’s insane. On his day, he’s incredible,” said Binder. “So it’s really sad to see the situation he’s in right now. But honestly, I feel like for sure there’s something for him out there. Something will pop up. He’s too fast not to be here, for sure. I really hope he finds something and he finds his confidence again and the good feeling that he’s had in the past, because I’m sure the results are just around the corner.”

Binder’s words reflect the respect that many in the paddock still have for Oliveira, even if his current results with Yamaha haven’t been as strong as expected.

Miguel Oliveira’s Current Situation

The 2025 season has been a turbulent one for Miguel Oliveira. After moving to Pramac Racing, which became Yamaha’s satellite team, the Portuguese rider faced tough competition against teammate Jack Miller and factory leader Fabio Quartararo. While Oliveira has shown flashes of speed, including two consecutive ninth-place finishes in recent rounds, he sits last among Yamaha’s four riders in the MotoGP championship standings.

The turning point came when Yamaha moved quickly to sign World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu for 2026. This left Oliveira vulnerable, with only one seat available alongside Miller, and ultimately he was the rider forced out.

Now, Oliveira faces a career-defining decision: whether to fight for a limited role within MotoGP, potentially as an Aprilia test rider with occasional wild-card entries, or to pivot to World Superbikes, where full-time factory opportunities with Yamaha or BMW may be waiting.

A Record of Success with KTM

Despite the challenges of recent seasons, it’s important to remember Oliveira’s pedigree. He remains KTM’s most successful MotoGP rider to date, with five victories on the RC16. Two of those came during his time with Tech3 KTM, giving the French satellite squad its only wins in MotoGP.

Between 2021 and 2022, Oliveira rode for the factory KTM team alongside Binder, where he displayed moments of brilliance, even if consistency sometimes eluded him. His victories at tracks like the Red Bull Ring and Catalunya showcased his ability to master changing conditions and pressure-filled situations.

Binder’s support is rooted in these memories—he knows firsthand just how competitive Oliveira can be at his best.

Battling Back from Injuries

One factor that has heavily affected Oliveira’s form in recent years has been injury setbacks. In 2025 alone, he missed three rounds due to crashes and fitness struggles. These interruptions made it difficult for him to build momentum with the Yamaha M1, a bike that already demands precision and patience to extract its maximum potential.

Despite this, Oliveira has fought back to regain fitness, and his recent string of top-10 finishes shows that he is still capable of competing at a high level. For many, including Binder, these performances are proof that Oliveira deserves another shot in MotoGP.

World Superbike as a Possible Future

If Oliveira cannot secure a competitive MotoGP seat for 2026, the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) could be his next destination. Rumors already link him to potential factory rides with both BMW and Yamaha, each of which would benefit from his experience and adaptability.

Given the rise of WorldSBK’s global profile in recent years and the success of MotoGP riders who have made the transition—such as Álvaro Bautista—a move could be a viable way for Oliveira to rebuild his career and chase world titles in another discipline.

However, Oliveira himself has expressed a preference to remain in MotoGP, and with Binder and others backing him publicly, the push for him to secure a place on the 2026 grid is growing stronger.

The Impact of Yamaha’s Decision

The arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in MotoGP has been hailed as a major coup for Yamaha, but it came at a cost. With Razgatlioglu already under contract, one of the existing Pramac Yamaha riders had to make way. Unfortunately, Oliveira was the one left without a seat.

For many observers, the decision reflects Yamaha’s long-term vision but also highlights the brutal nature of MotoGP’s rider market. Even a proven race winner like Oliveira can find himself without a ride if timing and circumstances don’t align.

Binder’s comments underscore the broader sentiment that Oliveira’s talent should not be wasted, and that MotoGP risks losing a rider capable of delivering spectacular performances if no suitable opportunity arises.

Binder and Oliveira’s Shared Journey

Binder and Oliveira’s friendship and professional rivalry stretch back over a decade. From their days battling in the lower categories to their time as teammates in KTM’s MotoGP project, the two riders have shared victories, defeats, and the grind of climbing the ranks.

That history gives Binder’s words extra weight. When he says Oliveira is “too fast not to be here,” it’s not empty praise—it’s the opinion of someone who has trained, raced, and competed alongside him across multiple stages of their careers.

What Comes Next for Oliveira

For now, Oliveira remains focused on finishing the 2025 season as strongly as possible with Pramac Yamaha. Each race offers him a chance to remind teams and fans alike of his talent and determination. While ninth places may not grab headlines, consistent top-10 results could rebuild confidence and keep him in the conversation for 2026.

If an Aprilia test rider and wild-card role materializes, it could offer him a lifeline within MotoGP, giving him the opportunity to stay sharp and step back into a full-time seat if the right opening comes. Alternatively, a switch to WorldSBK might allow him to reinvent himself and chase new challenges with top machinery.

Either way, Binder’s public support is a reminder of Oliveira’s value to the sport and his enduring speed.

Conclusion

The story of Miguel Oliveira in MotoGP is far from over. While losing his Pramac Yamaha seat for 2026 is a major setback, the Portuguese rider still has the talent, speed, and determination to compete at the highest level. With allies like Brad Binder backing him and opportunities still potentially on the horizon, Oliveira’s next chapter remains unwritten.

For MotoGP fans, the hope is clear: that a rider of his caliber won’t be lost to the paddock. As Binder said best, Miguel Oliveira is simply “too fast not to be here.”