Hervé Poncharal is the boss of a Tech3 team which historically maintains strong relationships with its drivers. In the midst of a slump, Raul Fernandez, who is making his first MotoGP campaign this season, is happy to be able to count on the support of a French boss whom he says he considers as a father. In the Moto3 stand, where the tricolors are also entered under the KTM banner, there is a Deniz Öncü who is evaluated as a son by the same boss. However, time passes and turns the wheel...
Between Hervé Poncharal et Deniz Öncü, there is a real proximity that the French recognizes thus: “ Deniz is a special case. In my opinion, he's not just a pilot, I almost look at him like my son », he said on speedweek. " He is a young man, 18 years old, full of ambition, quite wild, he has a strong personality, which clearly distinguishes him from many other young Grand Prix drivers. On the other hand, he is competing in his third season in Moto3. At the same time, Guevera and Munoz are currently producing the best results and they are younger than Deniz ».
And a good father, even by professional proxy, must advise well: “ that's why I told him: 'Be careful' because you can't stay in Moto3 forever. You can't be considered a hope forever. He has also grown, his height and weight have become a disadvantage, you can see it on the straights. When he fights with Masia, Garcia or Sasaki, they pass him on the straight ».
Deniz Oncu, which will 19 years old on July 26, has already signed three podiums and three pole positions in the smallest category of the motorcycle world championship. He is still missing a Grand Prix victory, and three fourth places are his best performance this season. He entered the summer break sixth in the World Championship.
Hervé Poncharal: “ ideally he should move to Moto2, but his results are not great at the moment«
« I still believe in Deniz » assures Hervé. “ Ideally he should move to Moto2, but his results are not great at the moment. This is why no Moto2 team will roll out the red carpet for him. He was actually supposed to move to Aki Ajo's Moto2 team, which is the official Red Bull KTM team. But I doubt that Deniz will find a place there for 2023. This is why I recommended Kenan at Assen on Saturday to look for a Moto2 place for Deniz. And he needs to find a team that will offer him a full two-year contract ».
The Kenan in question is of course Sofuoglu. Who listens to the French: “ I'm trying to find a top Moto2 team for Deniz ", declared the former five-time Supersport world champion who also takes care of Toprak Razgatlioglu. " If it doesn't work, he'll stay in the Moto3 category for another year ». Kenan Sofuoglu also has its wing Can Öncü, twin brother of Deniz who entered Grand Prix history as the youngest to have achieved success at this level of competition at 15 years and 115 days. It was in Valencia in 2018.
