Marco Bezzecchi
Guenther Steiner has made an honest admission that he may have ‘underestimated’ MotoGP riders ‘out of ignorance’.
Steiner, 61, is one of the most well-known figures in motorsport, having led the Haas Formula 1 team from 2016 to 2023.
His popularity then grew massively when he played a starring role in Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ documentary series.
Since leaving Haas in 2023, Steiner has been involved in a consortium that bought the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team.
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Guenther Steiner reveals ‘biggest surprise’ since investing in MotoGP
Now well into his first full season in MotoGP, Steiner recently revealed the biggest surprise he has faced since joining the sport.
The 61-year-old has also admitted that he has perhaps ‘underestimated’ the efforts that MotoGP riders put into their preparation.
In addition, the Tech3 CEO revealed the biggest difference he has spotted between MotoGP and F1.
Speaking to Motorsport-Total, Steiner explained: “How different the riders are here, or what a distinct profession this is compared to being a car racer—that’s what surprised me.
“Perhaps, out of ignorance, I underestimated how much the guys actually train on bikes and what they do. But when you think about it, it’s very clear: here, the rider has a much greater influence on the result than in car racing. One of my ‘dumb’ questions was: ‘What do you do between races to prepare?’
“And they tell me: ‘I ride a motorcycle.’ I say: ‘What do you mean, you ride a motorcycle?’ On the track—yes! They’re always doing motocross for balance and so on. In Formula 1, for example, you can’t do that. There’s nothing quite like it.
“That’s where the simulator comes in. That is the huge difference—the extent to which MotoGP riders are actually physically involved.
“[In F1], a simulator is fine and appropriate. I mean, it’s demanding, but primarily it’s mentally demanding, not physically. If you hit the wall in a Formula 1 simulator, you just restart and keep driving. If you crash in motocross, an ambulance comes to pick you up. For me, that is the biggest surprise.”
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During Steiner’s first full season in MotoGP, Tech3 are currently eighth in the world championship standings, having scored 79 points.
Steiner has also been tasked with big decisions, with the team’s line-up yet to be fully confirmed for the 2027 MotoGP season.
Looking ahead, both Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will be out of contract in the winter, with names like Luca Marini, Brad Binder and Senna Agius all linked with a move to Tech3.
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