Marco Bezzecchi
Guenther Steiner has been angered by KTM bosses since taking over Tech3 in 2025. So much so, that he has reportedly ‘cut’ Pit Beirer out of his negotiations for the 2027 season.
KTM and Tech3 are facing uncertainty ahead of the new regulations in MotoGP. The former’s financial crisis in late 2024-early 2025 has led to speculation that the latter could leave their operation and leave the project with just two bikes.
Who is going to win the French Grand Prix?
With teams talking with Dorna over the next Concorde Agreement, Honda is the French team’s only alternative to KTM. Tech3 has been speaking with Honda ever since the Austrian manufacturer were in financial insolvency.
Pit Beirer says KTM have no plan B if Tech3 leaves for Honda. But the team’s CEO has reportedly not been in the negotiations.
Guenther Steiner ‘cut’ Pit Beirer out of Tech3 negotiations with KTM
According to a report from The Race, paddock ‘sources’ have suggested that KTM have made a ‘counter-offer’ to Honda’s, and it seems to have ‘succeeded’ in keeping Tech3 with them for 2027 onwards.
Honda want to add a second satellite team to their ranks alongside LCR, and have a wealth of finances behind them. However, KTM are ‘finally starting to come out of the financial doldrums’ they suffered last year and do not want to be limited to just two bikes.
The report notes that Steiner has been able to negotiate directly with KTM’s ‘big bosses’ and ‘cut’ Beirer out of the dealings. He is believed to have ‘grown frustrated’ with their motorsport division after taking over from Herve Poncharal at Tech3 in 2025.
Steiner’s ‘considerable influence’ may have led to him negotiating terms from KTM that are ‘more financially favourable’ than what Honda have offered.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner, including F1 history
KTM want Tech3 to pay for their bikes in 2027
If reports are to be believed, however, the new terms are considerably different to previous arrangements. Journalist David Emmett says that KTM want Tech3 to pay for their bikes in 2027, having previously taken on most of the costs.
“I mean, it’s been my understanding that a lot of this is financially motivated as well, because for a while, basically, KTM funded a large part of Tech3’s racing operation,” he said via the Paddock Pass Podcast.
How do you think Guenther Steiner will fare in MotoGP as Tech3 boss?
“They were getting free bikes, they were getting a lot of support, and they didn’t have to pay for it. And I think, certainly for ‘27 and maybe also for this year as well, basically, since KTM faced its financial problems, KTM wanted to be paid for the bikes, and that changes the negotiation completely.
“It changes the whole budget concept of your racing completely. However, faced with the loss of a satellite team, going down to two bikes, then all of a sudden, it becomes a much more difficult proposition.
“Just having two bikes is not going to be enough, and especially at the start of a new project. Having just two bikes is going to be really, really difficult to be competitive right from the start.”
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