Marco Bezzecchi
Tech3 have now confirmed that they will remain a satellite KTM team as part of a new multi-year contract, after rejecting a potential move to Honda bikes for the 850cc era.
KTM had faced the potential threat of only fielding two bikes through their factory squad in 2027 when MotoGP moves to 850cc engines. Honda had made strong efforts to get Tech3 to leave the KTM stable, as the Japanese giant were eager to field six full factory-spec bikes.
A chance to lure Tech3 away from KTM after working closely with the Austrian outfit for the past eight seasons was on the cards for Honda, as the team now headed up by F1 cult hero Guenther Steiner did not have a contract with the Munderfing-based factory beyond 2026.
However, Tech3 CEO Steiner announced on Saturday at the 2026 Catalan Grand Prix that his crew have agreed to a new multi-year contract with KTM. Tech3 will continue to receive two works-spec bikes from KTM when MotoGP moves to its new 850cc regulations next season.
Have Tech3 made the right decision by remaining with KTM for 2027?
Guenther Steiner confirms Tech3 will remain a satellite KTM MotoGP team in 2027
It became known in March that Honda had been speaking with Tech3 about a potential deal to join their stable, after the Tokyo outfit failed to convince Gresini to leave the Ducati stable next year. Gresini had serious talks with Honda as their Ducati contract was also set to lapse.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM Tech3 including the MotoGP team’s riders
But Steiner has now stated that Tech3 ultimately decided to remain with KTM for the 850cc regulations, as it ensures they are “not starting from zero” with a new manufacturer. Tech3 used Yamaha bikes from their premier class debut in 2001 until they joined KTM from 2019.
Tech3 CEO Steiner said: “In motorsport, the strongest partnerships are often the ones you already know inside out. With KTM and Tech3, we’re not starting from zero.
“Thanks to all the work by Herve Poncharal and the team over the past few years, we have a solid foundation with KTM, and that gives us a real advantage as we head into a completely new regulatory era.
“For both sides, this is about building on what already works. That continuity puts us in the best possible position to adapt quickly and stay competitive when the new rules come in.”
Mat Oxley thinks KTM have avoided a ‘disastrous situation’ by retaining Tech3 for 2027
Mat Oxley believes it is “huge news” that KTM and Tech3 have reached an agreement for the teams to continue their partnership into the 2027 MotoGP regulations cycle. He suggests that Tech3 leaving would have been “disastrous” for KTM, given that it would have left them with just two bikes on the grid next year and the lack of data they would have got as a result.
“Huge news that Tech3 will stay with KTM next year and beyond,” Oxley wrote on X. “If they had gone elsewhere for motorcycles, that would have left KTM with two bikes on the grid, a disastrous situation which would’ve made it very difficult for them to compete effectively.”
KTM retaining Tech3 as their sole satellite team will also delight MotoGP bosses. It has been said that MotoGP chiefs put pressure on Tech3 to stay with KTM, as they feared a repeat of Suzuki’s exit when they pulled the plug on their factory team after lacking a satellite squad.
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