In a striking revelation, Guenther Steiner, the newly appointed owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team, expressed that stepping into his new role felt reminiscent of being a rookie in the MotoGP arena. His debut public appearance took place at the official season launch event in Malaysia on Saturday, where he candidly conveyed his feelings of being a newcomer in this high-octane environment.
Steiner, who previously held the position of team principal at Haas in Formula 1, orchestrated a significant buyout of the Tech3 team from Herve Poncharal last summer for a substantial €20 million. This acquisition officially concluded just last week, unveiling a new roster of investors, notably including Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly. Such moves highlight the growing influence of MotoGP’s owners, Liberty Media, in enhancing the commercial appeal of the series, thereby attracting external investments.
As of the start of this year, Steiner has taken the reins as CEO of Tech3, making his first appearance in the team's colors during the much-anticipated 2026 MotoGP season launch in Kuala Lumpur. He expressed his gratitude and excitement, stating, "It’s fantastic that all of these people came out to support MotoGP. I’m just finding my way, but it’s very exciting.
At 60 years old, he shared his enthusiasm for learning something new, saying, "Normally, I give a hard time to the rookie. I think now the guys will give me a hard time. I try to learn quickly and I’m very humble. I’m very thankful for everything. I’m the rookie, I know that. It’s pretty nice to be a rookie at 60 years old. I feel young again; this is very important!"
Despite the ownership transition, the core structure of the Tech3 team remains unchanged for the upcoming season. They will continue to field the same lineup featuring Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales, utilizing factory KTM machinery. Team manager Nicolas Goyon commented on the unusual nature of this winter transition, referring to it as "strange" for the squad, indicating the adjustments that come with new leadership.
Under Steiner’s leadership, Richard Coleman will assume the role of team principal in 2026, while Goyon will maintain his position as team manager. This season marks the conclusion of Tech3’s existing contract with KTM; however, Pit Beirer mentioned that Steiner has already expressed a desire to extend their collaboration with the Austrian manufacturer beyond 2026.
In August 2024, Lewis joined the Crash.net team after spending five years as a journalist covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and insight into the sport.
