Neil Hodgson sends ominous warning to new Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner amid KTM’s financial woes

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Guenther Steiner will be delighted after watching Tech3 score a podium at the Catalan Grand Prix, courtesy of Enea Bastianini.

The Italian grabbed his first podium in KTM colours as he finished P3 behind the Marquez brothers. It comes two days after Steiner completed his takeover of Tech3, which will see him assume control of the team in 2026.

The 60-year-old watched on in the garage as Bastianini scored the French outfit their first podium of 2025. Steiner had demanded a podium before the Catalan Grand Prix, and the 27-year-old delivered for Tech3 and KTM.

Bastianini’s result marks KTM’s third podium in the last four races, with the manufacturer taking a step forward with the RC16 after a difficult start to the season on and off the track.

Neil Hodgson warns new Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner that results need to keep coming or KTM could leave MotoGP

KTM’s financial crisis over the winter threw their MotoGP project into huge uncertainty as they reported debts of up to £2bn. Majority shareholders Bajaj Auto have saved the company from insolvency, as KTM reiterate their commitment to motorsport until 2026.

However, their future is still uncertain as Bajaj’s plans are believed to focus on cuts. They even considered leaving MotoGP entirely, but backtracked on that idea.

Rumours are continuing to swirl about the future of KTM in the premier class, but their recent results will be a huge confidence boost. Neil Hodgson has warned Steiner and the team that they must keep up the performance to keep investors interested.

He said via TNT Sports 2 (07/09, 3:05 pm): “Timing’s key, as we know, the financial situation. You can’t help but feel like the new investors will look at the amount of money being spent on a project like the MotoGP project.

“If the results aren’t there, they could go: ‘Do you know what? We’re not going to continue spending over £50 million a year’, probably close to £100 million.

“So, timing’s everything. So, these results are key; I can’t emphasize that enough for everyone, for the whole squad. The last thing we need to be doing is losing a manufacturer at this point now.

“Especially with Liberty taking over, it seems such a shame, because we do genuinely all feel like we’re at the beginning of something pretty special, don’t we? We feel like they’re going to really move our championship forward.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner, including F1 history

What would happen to Tech3 if KTM leaves MotoGP?

KTM’s financial woes have, understandably, led to concerns about Tech3 and what the team could look like come 2027 and the new regulations.

Steiner has secured Tech3’s place in MotoGP for the next five years with Dorna. But which manufacturer they will be teamed up with is another question, with their contract with KTM expiring at the end of 2026.

The French outfit want to stay on board with KTM. However, if the Austrian manufacturer were to leave MotoGP, Dorna have drawn up a ‘Plan B’ for Tech3 to join Honda, with the Japanese giants wanting a second satellite team next to LCR.

The team’s new owner could have a plan of his own, as it has been reported that Steiner wants Tech3 to run with Ducati bikes. For now, they are still with KTM, and they will be keen to keep up their current form.