Günther Steiner, the new owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team, made his debut appearance in his new position at the official 2026 season launch event in Malaysia on Saturday, candidly admitting, “I feel like a rookie.” Previously known as the Haas F1 team principal, Steiner headed the group that acquired Tech3 from Hervé Poncharal last summer for €20 million.
The deal was finalized just last week, revealing several new investors, including Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly. This acquisition is seen as the first significant indication of MotoGP owner Liberty Media’s push to increase the series’ appeal to external investors. Steiner officially stepped into the CEO role earlier this year and wore the team colors for the first time at the season opener in Kuala Lumpur.
He expressed his enthusiasm about the sport’s support and the learning process: “It’s great that so many people came to support MotoGP. I’m finding my way and it’s very exciting. I’m an old guy, so it’s really fun to learn new things, and I’m really happy to be here. Usually, I give rookies a hard time, but now I think they give me a hard time. I’m trying to learn fast and stay humble.”
Steiner added, “I’m so grateful for everything. I’m a rookie, I know that. I’m so happy to be a rookie at 60 years old. I feel young again, which is so important!”
Despite the ownership change, Tech3’s core racing operations remain steady this season. The rider lineup of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales is unchanged, and the team will continue to run KTM factory bikes. During the team’s launch last month, Tech3 manager Nicolas Goyon described the off-season transition as “strange” but manageable.
Looking ahead, Steiner will serve as CEO while Richard Coleman will take over as team principal in 2026, with Goyon remaining as team manager. Although this year marks the end of Tech3’s current KTM contract, Pit Beiler revealed that Steiner has already expressed interest in extending the partnership with the Austrian manufacturer.
Fan Take:
This news highlights how MotoGP is evolving behind the scenes, attracting seasoned leadership and fresh investment to boost competitiveness. For racing fans, Steiner’s entry could bring a new dynamic and increased professionalism, potentially raising the sport’s global profile and financial health in the coming years.
