Hervé Poncharal took note of Miguel Oliveira's decision not to return to Tech3, his first love in MotoGP and marked by success. The boss of Tech3 could have taken the Portuguese's explanation badly when he turned his back on this offer from KTM, taken as a sort of disrepute. But the Frenchman always looks beyond the hill. He knows his former driver and he also knows how things work within the Mattighofen brand. So he understands and doesn't blame anyone. But it still gives food for thought...
In an interview with speedweek, Hervé Poncharal returns to this episode of the transfer market which concluded with the announced end of the long-standing relationship between Miguel Oliveira et KTM. The Portuguese is a pure product of the sector set up by the Austrian brand. And it is a priori a success: double vice-world champion, 16 Grand Prix victories including four with the RC16, which makes him the most successful rider of the Austrian coat of arms in MotoGP. However, it was decided that he no longer had his place within an official team which had decided to Jack Miller. An arbitration that the Portuguese did not validate, even with all the guarantees of obtaining equipment identical to the Australian within his former team Tech3.
The boss of the latter understands and also wants to make it understood: “ I have a special relationship with Miguel »Ensures Poncharal. “ When I heard at Mugello that there was a chance he would come back to us after two years with full factory support and the latest factory machines, with a decent and appropriate salary, I thought it was a good idea ". But this was without taking into account the sensitivity of the man: “ I understand Miguel. As a pilot you must be selfish, you must have a strong ego. If you don't believe in yourself and don't have a certain pride, you won't succeed. » recalls the tricolor.
Between Miguel Oliveira and KTM there had already been a misunderstanding which left traces
« I can't speak for Miguel. But he thinks he's better than Jack. I think it's normal, he must be thinking, 'If KTM rates Jack higher than me, then they have lost confidence in me.' This could be Miguel's thinking. I understand his attitude. He thought about KTM's offer for two days. And when we headed to the Mugello grid, father Paulo Oliveira informed Pit Beirer that KTM should no longer rely on Miguel. I would have loved to have Miguel on the team. But I have to accept his decision ».
That being said, there was precedent, in 2019, which puts the 2022 negotiations in sight of 2023 and beyond as one misunderstanding too many... Remember: Johann zarco then, against all expectations, throws its official contract into the basket, leaving the RC16 free which will finally be made available to Brad Binder leaving Miguel Oliveira in plan. The latter had taken umbrage and had been reframed for that. A past that counted in today's events. Hervé Poncharal does not disagree: “ you can see that Miguel Oliveira reacts very sensitively and allergic to such events. The second time it happened, he told KTM, “Forget me!” ».
Human relations at KTM sometimes seem complicated even though within the manufacturer we like to say that we are a family. Lately, Iker Lecuona gave his more than mixed feelings about his experience with the orange brand, while currently it seems quite complicated with Raul Fernandez and particular with Remy Gardner. Danilo Petrucci I don't only have good memories either. But what “family” doesn’t have its problems? In the meantime, if the rumor promises a satellite Aprilia at RNF at Miguel Oliveira, nothing is signed, as nothing is yet initialed between Pol Espargaro and Tech3…
