Guenther Steiner has already spotted a ‘weak link’ at Tech3 as he plans MotoGP takeover

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Guenther Steiner has been linked with a managerial role at the Tech3 MotoGP team. Steiner became one of the most popular figures in the Formula 1 paddock during his time at Haas.

It emerged last week that Steiner could take over at Tech3 with the backing of US investors. He’s primarily been carrying out media work since he left Haas at the end of the 2023 season.

Now, in an interview with Paddock GP, Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal has confirmed that talks have taken place. The French team have competed in MotoGP for nearly a quarter of a century, winning six times and scoring 49 podiums in 456 total races.

They currently rank eighth out of 11 teams in the championship, a disappointing outcome after an exciting double swoop for Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales last year. They only have two top-six finishes to their name, though Vinales did score a podium in Qatar before a tyre-pressure penalty.

Why Guenther Steiner sees Herve Poncharal as a ‘weak link’ amid Tech3 interest

Poncharal says that every satellite team boss is fielding interest from investors right now. MotoGP is about to be sold to Liberty Media, who have overseen enormous growth in F1.

For instance, superstar driver Lewis Hamilton held talks with Gresini last year. But Tech3 may be attracting most attention.

That’s because suppliers KTM have yet to decide whether they’ll compete in MotoGP beyond 2026. Major partners Red Bull haven’t confirmed their plans either.

Incumbent team boss Poncharal acknowledges that these are fertile grounds for a sale, which makes him a ‘weak link’. Steiner and his backers are one of multiple parties who have made contact.

“All the bosses of the independent teams are called, but obviously from the outside, there are some who can consider that if there is a weak link, but I don’t like to call myself that, but it’s maybe Tech3, in relation to the KTM situation,” he said. “There you go.

“I have no idea how the internal situation will develop, and even at KTM they don’t know either. Their major partner, which is Red Bull, who is also with me today, I have no idea if they intend to stay, or how. So it would be stupid to close the door to all meetings, all discussions.

“There is one name that we see coming up more than others, and that is Guenther Steiner, but what I want to say is that there are different investors who have contacted us, and who continue to contact us.

“I’m not sure if they only contact Tech3, but I’m speaking on behalf of Tech3.

“To date, I have not signed any commitment with anyone. I get called, I’m polite, I listen. When I get letters, I read them and think about them, but of course, at the same time, I listen to what KTM tells me, I listen to what Red Bull tells me, and of course, I share all of that with the people involved.”

Could Guenther Steiner already be targeting a move for Jorge Martin?

KTM shareholders Bajaj recently acquired a controlling stake to keep the company afloat. But it’s unclear whether they will persist with the motorsport division.

While the team have denied that development has been affected, this year’s RC16 has been underwhelming. Lead rider Pedro Acosta is only ninth in the championship, with Vinales 11th.

Brad Binder and Bastianini follow in P14 and 15. The Italian was winning races with Ducati as recently as last year.

Bastianini is already open to leaving to replace Jorge Martin at Aprilia. After the rider market exploded into life, it may not be a coincidence that Steiner is planning to re-align Tech3 with another manufacturer.

Martin has been linked with Tech3 on the basis that they could soon establish a partnership with Honda. The Japanese giants are resurgent after a fallow period.