Guenther Steiner’s stance on retaining Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini shared after Tech3 takeover rumours

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Guenther Steiner is finalising a deal to purchase MotoGP’s Tech3 outfit after months of rumours tying him to the team.

The satellite outfit runs KTM bikes and currently lie seventh in the teams’ championship just after the halfway point in the season.

Despite missing a few races, Maverick Vinales has been a real shining light for them in 2025, while Enea Bastianini has improved at recent events.

Heading into the 2027 regulations, Tech3 may need to find a new partner, with debate over how long KTM will continue to fund motorsport.

Steiner secured one crucial ‘guarantee’ with Dorna that his team will have a place on the grid for 2027, with their current contract set to expire before then, as is the case with their rivals.

On a positive note, Vinales has been a ‘benchmark’ for Pedro Acosta in 2025 and is set to be with them until the end of 2026. When he returns from injury, it’ll be a big bonus for them.

READ MORE: KTM have made a decision on whether they will be on the MotoGP grid for the new 2027 regulations

Guenther Steiner will keep Tech3’s Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini for 2026

Just weeks ago, it was revealed that Steiner wants to copy Luigi Dall’Igna at Tech3 by taking a role that will help him use his racing experience.

The Austrian has been in the Formula 1 paddock for over 20 years, spending time at Jaguar, Red Bull, and Haas before taking a break from the start of 2024.

Now he’s ready to ply his trade again, and looks set to get stuck into two-wheeled racing amid Liberty Media’s takeover of the medium.

According to Diario AS, Steiner ‘should not’ be changing the team’s rider plans for 2026, given that they are both under contract through then.

It means that the riders 11th and 17th in the standings respectively, will be given the next year and a half to prove to the Austrian that he should be part of his long-term vision for Tech3.

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

Why did Guenther Steiner leave Formula 1 back in 2024?

Steiner’s departure as Haas team principal back in January 2024 served as a slight shock. He was a big personality and had been a part of the team since their operations started nearly a decade prior.

However, there had to be a reaction based on their lack of performance and progression for years, and you could say that the right decision was made.

New boss Ayao Komatsu immediately got to work using his engineering background to help solve a variety of issues with their car.

Now they are competitive at most races, and always seem to be in contention for points. Steiner seems to have given up on a return to the Formula 1 paddock for now.