Guenther Steiner secured one crucial ‘guarantee’ from Dorna ahead of his £17.5m Tech3 takeover deal

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Formula 1 cult hero Guenther Steiner is now about to become the new team owner of Tech3 after reaching an agreement to buy the MotoGP outfit from Herve Poncharal.

Speculation has been rife in recent months that Tech3 might soon fall under new ownership, as Poncharal takes further steps back having already left his role as team manager two years ago. LCR chief Lucio Cecchinello replaced Poncharal as the president of IRTA in May, as well.

Now, Poncharal is set to step aside as the owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team that he founded alongside engineer Guy Coulon in 1990. Steiner, the former team principal of Haas F1 Team, has secured an agreement to front a consortium in taking control of the France-based outfit.

Guenther Steiner sought a ‘guarantee’ from Dorna that Tech3 will be on the 2027 MotoGP grid

Steiner entered talks to become the new owner of Tech3 in May, with Poncharal due to step aside gradually before the 60-year-old also takes over from the 68-year-old as the squad’s next team manager. Now, the discussions are thought to have reached a positive conclusion.

READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM Tech3 including the MotoGP team’s riders

Reports by Motorsport.com claim Steiner and Poncharal have reached an agreement for the sale of the Tech3 MotoGP team at €20m (£17.5m). Investment firm Apex is also expected to provide ‘a large portion’ of the capital needed for the Steiner-led takeover to be completed.

Poncharal has agreed to sell Tech3 to Steiner as the American-Italian engineer also agreed to keep their staff and headquarters in France. As KTM have confirmed their commitment to Tech3 for the 2026 MotoGP season, as well, the team will also continue to run two RC16s.

Also, Steiner pushed through his takeover of Tech3 after gaining a ‘guarantee’ from MotoGP promoters Dorna that the team will continue to have a future on the grid beyond 2026. The outfit’s current contract with Dorna expires next year, like all of the current MotoGP teams’.

Guenther Steiner could now look to source Tech3 a supply of Ducati bikes for 2027

Steiner likely wanted Dorna to guarantee two grid spots for Tech3 beyond the 2026 MotoGP season for the Italian-American to finalise his takeover. Securing an agreement now can take away the risk of having to negotiate in a year’s time after spending £17.5m for the takeover.

Knowing that Tech3 will continue to have two grid spots can even open the door for Steiner to look at sourcing a different satellite bike supply rather than the team’s current KTM deal. When the talks first emerged, it was even said that Steiner wants Tech3 to run Ducati bikes.

Motorsport director Pit Beirer has confirmed that KTM are preparing for the 2027 MotoGP rules, but there has not yet been any official confirmation that the Austrian outfit will have any presence in the paddock still when MotoGP introduces the new rules with 850cc bikes.