KTM Motorsport director Pit Beirer revealed that Tech3 MotoGP’s new owner, Günther Steiner, is eager to continue collaborating with them beyond the 2026 season. Hervé Poncharal, the long-standing founder and owner of the Tech3 team, sold the French outfit last year to a group led by the former Haas F1 team principal Steiner for €20 million.
Earlier this year, Poncharal stepped down, officially handing control of Tech3 over to Steiner. This ownership change coincides with Tech3 entering the last year of its current contract with KTM, while all manufacturers have yet to finalize a new five-year agreement with Dorna Sport covering the 2027–2031 seasons.
Beirer expects the contract discussions to move forward positively in the coming weeks but emphasized that maintaining Tech3’s role as KTM’s satellite team past 2026 is a top priority. When asked about plans for Tech3’s future, Beirer confirmed, “Absolutely, that’s a top priority.”
He explained that since no manufacturer has signed a deal with Dorna for 2027 yet, satellite team contracts remain pending. Beirer noted, “I spoke with Günther Steiner last week; he’s based in Austria and wants to stay involved. We’re working hard to keep them, but at the end of the day, it’s a free market—everyone is exploring options as their contracts near expiration.”
Additionally, Beirer shared that Dorna prefers no manufacturer to dominate with multiple teams, favoring a balanced field with only one factory team per brand. He expressed hope for stability in the championship setup: “Tech3 is the partner we want for the future, and I sensed the same enthusiasm from Günther.”
Going forward, they plan to secure agreements within weeks since satellite teams are essential. Beirer believes the ideal MotoGP structure includes four bikes from satellite squads, stating, “It’s the perfect number, and having a satellite team makes us stronger.”
Fan Take: This development is exciting for racing fans because it signals continuity and stability for the beloved Tech3 team amidst an evolving MotoGP landscape. Maintaining a strong satellite presence not only boosts KTM’s competitiveness but also helps preserve the sport’s diversity and competitive balance, benefiting fans and riders alike.
