Herve Poncharal, owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team, denied reports claiming his team had been sold to former Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner. Speculation about Steiner’s involvement began after he was seen at the British Grand Prix in May, sparking rumors of a potential link with Tech3.
In the weeks that followed, Poncharal acknowledged having discussions with Steiner regarding investment opportunities in the team. He noted that while many from the F1 world have shown interest, Steiner’s name frequently comes up in media reports. Poncharal clarified that these talks were merely exploratory, focusing on possibilities such as investment, partnerships, minority shareholding, or sponsorship support. He also mentioned discussions about Steiner potentially buying and managing Tech3, but nothing concrete had been decided.
Recently, ES.Motorsport.com reported that Steiner and the Apex Group were close to finalizing a €20 million purchase of Tech3. However, Poncharal dismissed these claims as “fake news,” emphasizing that no agreements have been signed and stressing his discomfort with the ongoing speculation.
At 68, Poncharal is thought to be contemplating scaling back his involvement in MotoGP. Earlier this year, he stepped down as president of the International Race Team Association (IRTA), with Lucio Cecchinello of the LCR team taking over. These developments coincided with the rumors of Steiner’s interest in Tech3, which emerged around the British Grand Prix weekend.
The acquisition of MotoGP by Formula One owner Liberty Media has drawn significant attention within the motorsport world, as it highlights the growing investment potential of the motorcycle racing series under US media influence. Last year, Liberty revealed that seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton had expressed interest in investing in a MotoGP team. He was also linked to potential investments in KTM earlier this year amidst financial uncertainty within the sport.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for racing fans as it underscores the increasing crossover between Formula One and MotoGP, potentially bringing fresh investment and innovation. If managed well, such moves could elevate MotoGP’s global profile, creating exciting new dynamics for the sport’s future.
