Herve Poncharal explains why he’s ‘very annoyed’ about Guenther Steiner Tech3 takeover rumours

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Rumours that the Tech3 MotoGP outfit could be sold have circulated for a while, with ex-Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner showing some interest.

However, nothing official has been announced yet and now in the middle of the summer break, little is likely to be announced for a while.

Team boss Herve Poncharal has been at the helm for over 20 years and has recently spoken about his desire for the team to continue to operate between 2027 and 2031.

Currently, Tech3 are seventh in the MotoGP standings and have been led by Maverick Vinales’ impressive form this season. His recent injury was a major blow to them.

On the other bike, Poncharal wants top-five finishes from Enea Bastianini and to see him really kick on in the second half of the campaign.

Even Vinales has been a ‘benchmark’ for Pedro Acosta in 2025, despite being at the satellite KTM team, not the factory outfit.

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

Herve Poncharal is ‘very annoyed’ about Guenther Steiner Tech3 takeover rumours

Poncharal loved what he saw the KTM CEO do in Brno just a few weeks ago, watching on as he acted like a true MotoGP fan.

There’s no firm commitment from KTM that they will be in the sport beyond 2026 yet, which could leave Tech3 seeking a new partnership.

However, any suggestion that they have been sold already, or that a deal has been done with Steiner, has been denied by Poncharal.

“This is absolute fake news,” he told GPOne. “We are talking, as you know. But nothing was signed. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that discussions are taking place.

“But I’m very annoyed by these new rumours and speculations. I don’t want to go into detail because there’s no news to report.”

READ MORE: Guenther Steiner has already explained how he’ll copy Luigi Dall’Igna if he takes over Tech3 MotoGP team

Who will Tech3’s MotoGP riders be in 2026?

Whatever happens with the team, it feels certain that both Vinales and Bastianini will remain on their bikes for 2026.

There’s little reason to change anything in the final year before a big regulation change, particularly with both already under contract.

Jorge Martin confirming that he will remain at Aprilia appears to have calmed the MotoGP rider market down a little bit.

And the final dominoes on the grid should fall when riders return from their summer breaks, and teams begin to announce their plans for next season.