For Hervé Poncharal also this 2023 MotoGP season must be that of a new era or, at the very least, the end of a bad series which he estimates has lasted for two seasons. Two years marked not only by discreet results to say the least but also by controversial lease ends with its drivers under KTM contract. Events which dampened the atmosphere in a Tech3 team which was until then characterized by the ability to reflect, through its relaxed atmosphere, the devastating smile of its boss. The latter wants to find this good synergy and he makes it known with some well-felt remarks…
Hervé Poncharal does not have to regret from the point of view of results its alliance with KTM. From the time of Yamaha , in fact, his team Tech3 had never found the opportunity to make it happen while now, the French structure can boast of having two MotoGP Grands Prix on its list. A pair of successes brought back by the same pilot Miguel Oliveira who had been offered a return to the French under the GASGAS banner. But the Portuguese preferred a change of scenery to try the bet Aprilia.
Since we are talking about pilots, it should be mentioned that this subject was not of relative importance for Tech3 the last two seasons. So much so that in 2023, it is again with two different residents from the previous campaign that the men ofHervé Poncharal align with RC16s changed from orange to red and KTM in GASGAS. A succession which is in fact a bad series which the boss wants to put an end to by putting human values back in the order of priorities.
In an interview at speedweek, Hervé Poncharal states thus: “ I now want to give weight back to my team. Because the last two years have been difficult. I don't want to talk about this anymore. But it's important that our boys have a smile on their faces again ". A project which seems to have begun with the return of Pol Espargaro and its chief mechanic from the time of KTM, as with the installation ofAugusto Fernandez, who will be the only rookie of this 2023 season in MotoGP: “ everyone who visits our box can feel the positive atmosphere » said the Frenchman. “ The atmosphere in the box is really good. Paul Trevathan confirmed this to me. This is an important part of this test at Sepang ».
Hervé Poncharal: “we hadn't seen a pilot visit us at our Tech3 HQ for many, many years"
A good thing that has not appeared spontaneously in recent days in Malaysia. To get there, you also need a fundamental approach, small things that allow big things to come to fruition… Hervé Poncharal states: “ Pol Espargaró and Paul Trevathan were at our Tech3 HQ in the south of France. We hadn't seen a pilot visit us for many, many years. The last one to visit us was Johann Zarco in 2017, but it was during the season, not before. The whole team was happy when Pol and Paul passed ».
And otherwise, this new recruit Augusto Fernandez ? Hervé Poncharal can only say good things about it for the moment, and first of all because it fits perfectly into this search for the right state of mind: “ we are satisfied. He adapted quickly. So far, Augusto seems to be physically capable of handling the pressure of the 300 hp bike on this fast Sepang track. His physical condition is really good. He was in Thalgau, Austria, at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center. They were satisfied with his physical condition and gave him useful advice. Everything looks good at the moment. He has a good approach and is willing to learn ».
