Marco Bezzecchi
Tech3 CEO Guenther Steiner believes 2027 will be “the best year” to sign a rookie due to the new MotoGP regulations, and Moto2 ace Senna Agius could yet get the call-up.
Agius has attracted interest from around the MotoGP paddock with his performances in the intermediate class so far this season. But Tech3 may now be the Australian’s only option for a ride in the premier class next year, after watching Pramac and Trackhouse look elsewhere.
While reports suggested that Agius had a chance to replace Jack Miller at Pramac, Yamaha’s expected decision to secure Ai Ogura for their factory team and promote Izan Guevara from Moto2 closed that avenue. Toprak Razgatlioglu will stay at Pramac for 2027 next to Guevara.
Likewise, it was said that Agius held talks with Trackhouse about a potential switch for 2027 given Ogura’s imminent exit. Yet the expectations now are that Trackhouse will re-sign Raul Fernandez and welcome Enea Bastianini from Tech3 when his factory KTM contract expires.
Mick Doohan says Senna Agius is going from “strength to strength” in Moto2 🇦🇺 Do you think we’ll see him on the 2027 MotoGP grid?
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Guenther Steiner is a big fan of ‘dominant’ Senna Agius, but he ‘still lacks consistency’
Tech3 CEO Steiner has not closed the door on giving Agius a seat on the 2027 MotoGP grid, though, given that his satellite KTM squad are likely to see Bastianini depart. Steiner is a big fan of Agius, and the 2027 regulations make next season an ideal chance to debut a rookie.
READ MORE: Who is Senna Agius? Everything to know from career stats to height
Agius’ dominance during his Moto2 wins particularly stands out to Steiner, following the 21-year-old’s victories earlier this season at COTA and Jerez. But the former Haas F1 team boss wants more consistency from the Camden, New South Wales native, as it is his biggest flaw.
Steiner said, via quotes by Motosprint: “What I like about him? That he is very fast, he has dominated the races and won. He still lacks consistency.
“There is always a risk when you sign a rookie. I think next year represents a great opportunity for Moto2 riders to move up to MotoGP.
“They will still have a lot to learn, but the reduced aerodynamics and the Pirelli tyres will help them. There are many changes that everyone will have to adapt to. I think 2027 is the best year to sign a rookie.”
Agius opened the 2026 Moto2 term with two scoreless results in Thailand and Brazil, before taking back-to-back wins in America and Spain. And since his victories, the Austrian only got P7 in France and P10 in Barcelona, before sealing P4 in Italy and a podium in P3 in Hungary.
Guenther Steiner needs to ‘make sure’ Maverick Vinales is fully fit before Tech3 re-sign him
Agius’ Moto2 performances could yet merit a promotion to MotoGP with Tech3 next year, as Steiner admits his outfit have “no decision-making power” should KTM decide against taking up their option to extend Bastianini’s contract – which KTM are not believed to be planning.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Tech3 owner Guenther Steiner, including F1 history
How would you rate Maverick Vinales’ MotoGP career if he retires after 2026?
Tech3 will work with KTM to set their 2027 line-up, but Bastianini and Maverick Vinales both have works deals for the Austrian brand. Vinales claims KTM told him he would get a factory ride in 2027 last winter, too, but that offer appears dead in the water due to his injury woes.
It is believed that KTM will sign Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio as their factory pair in 2027, which leaves Vinales fighting to retain a seat at Tech3. Steiner is not opposed to the idea of Vinales staying with Tech3, but the 31-year-old must prove he is finally fully fit again.
“We need to make sure the real Maverick comes back,” Tech3 CEO Steiner noted. “He’s the first to be unhappy with his past results, but we need to understand if it’s just his shoulder or something else. We’re in no rush to make a decision, so he shouldn’t be either.
“There aren’t many options on the market, so we’re just trying to grab the best that’s left. A fast rider can adapt quickly to the new regulations.”
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