Binder qualified fifth in Buriram and scored second in the sprint, before going on to fight hard for victory with Pramac’s Jorge Martin and Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia in Sunday’s race.
Briefly taking the lead late on in the grand prix, Binder ultimately crossed the line 0.114s adrift of Martin at the chequered flag – only to be demoted to third for exceeding track limits on the final lap.
It marked Binder’s first grand prix podium since the Austrian GP in August, with the South African admitting he was spurred on by his country’s defeat of New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
“I woke up this morning, saw South Africa had won the [rugby] World Cup and was feeling a bit win or bust,” Binder said after the race on Sunday.
“I gave it my absolute best, I must be honest. Jorge did an unreal job, I did my best to stay behind him and maintain my rear tyre and I thought I did exactly that.
“But the second I passed him I realised it had a little bit of a drop. So, it was tricky. Honestly, on the last lap, I said ‘I’m super, super close, I can put my wheel there and make it happen’.
“And going through Turn 4 I was a little hotter than before and I had a little wash on the front and went wide and touched the green.
Source: Autosport