MotoGP, Steiner starts strong with his Tech3 takeover: "Dorna warned me: 'don't screw it up'"

It's official: Guenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 boss, is moving to MotoGP. Starting in 2026, he will take the helm of the Tech3 team, founded and managed by Hervé Poncharal for over 30 years. The deal is worth around €20 million, with the support of the Apex management group and Richard Coleman, the future team principal.

At the press conference held on Friday at the Catalan Grand Prix, Steiner lifted the veil on the behind-the-scenes of a takeover that has been in the works for over a year. And he told a telling anecdote:

« I would like to thank Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta and Mr. Carlos Ezpeleta for that, because they basically told me: “If we let you in – basically, those are the words – don’t screw it up.” And that’s what I have to watch out for now, so that we don’t screw it up. »

He assures that he took this warning seriously: " I had to promise Carmelo and Carlos that we would continue what exists, because MotoGP is a great sport. Millions of people watch it on television, so we must ensure that we perpetuate this great history and make MotoGP what it deserves. We will do everything to achieve this. »

Steiner, who brings his experience from WRC, NASCAR and especially F1, explained on crash.net how the idea had germinated: " once arrived in Austin last year, I had the idea that it would be an interesting project. I started exploring the possibilities, talking to people. I met Hervé at some point and we hit it off from our first meeting. »

Steiner: " Hervé Poncharal said he was afraid of me, but he's not afraid of anyone. »

Him and Poncharal quickly agreed: " He said he was afraid of me, but he's not afraid of anyone. We talked, then I had to tell Hervé that the team would stay where it is, that it would perpetuate his legacy.. Why would I change something that works? »

Steiner does not arrive in a bulldozer and wants a smooth transition: " We want to learn and we want Hervé to come with us next year to make the most of his experience. There aren't many people in this paddock who have Hervé's experience.. And we really want to put it to the test. He won't be bored next year »

For 2025, nothing is changing: “ Thanks to Hervé and the Ezpeleta family, everything is in place for next year. I think we were very lucky, but we know that we have to work hard to keep the situation the sameEveryone asks me what I want to do differently: for now, nothing.. I just want to learn for a year. And then we'll see if we want to do something different. »

Since July, MotoGP has officially belonged to Liberty Medium, also owner of F1. But Steiner denies any direct link with his project Tech3 : " Yes, we started with that before Liberty got involved. It didn't depend on Liberty or not. For us, it was a potential »