Guenther Steiner became a Formula 1 cult hero through Drive to Survive after leading Haas onto the four-wheeled grid, but he may soon lead a two-wheel team in MotoGP.
The Italian-American engineer cut his teeth in the world of rally racing, before breaking into F1 with Jaguar in 2001. He also enjoyed a brief spell in NASCAR before Steiner took over the position of leading Haas onto the F1 grid in 2016, a position the 60-year-old held until 2023.
Steiner has since spent his time as a Formula 1 pundit and he recently attended the MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone, as well. His prowling of the premier class paddock may also have been for more reasons than just as a fan who saw Marco Bezzecchi win the British GP.
Guenther Steiner is in talks to replace Herve Poncharal as Tech3’s team manager
According to Sky Italia, a group of American investors are now in talks to partner with Tech3. The American investors even hope to appoint Steiner as Tech3’s new team manager in place of owner Herve Poncharal, with the 68-year-old ‘about to’ step down at the end of this year.
Poncharal recently stepped down as the president of IRTA, with LCR chief Lucio Cecchinello taking over from the Frenchman. Now, he is also preparing to step away from overseeing a MotoGP team, with Poncharal helping Steiner establish the technical leadership he desires.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM Tech3 including the MotoGP team’s riders
Steiner could also make further changes at Tech3, should he replace Poncharal with backing from the American investors, as he is keen to tear up the team’s satellite contract with KTM and secure an agreement with Ducati. Tech3 left Yamaha after 17 years to join KTM in 2019.
Tech3’s future in MotoGP has been thrust under the spotlight given KTM’s well-documented financial issues. But Poncharal’s outfit could soon stand on their own feet again if they clinch the investment from the American group keen to install Steiner at the helm as soon as 2026.
Bajaj Auto has bailed KTM out but is open to selling Tech3, with the Indian motorcycle brand considering a change in the team’s structure by cutting down to just one team instead of the current two. Bajaj also considered pulling KTM from MotoGP completely before the bailout.
Enea Bastianini is watching Guenther Steiner’s efforts to make Tech3 a Ducati team closely
Steiner’s bid to make Tech3 a Ducati team, should he replace Poncharal as early as the 2026 MotoGP season, has also caught the attention of Enea Bastianini. Sky Italia adds that the 27-year-old would take up a leading role if Steiner can source Tech3 a supply of Desmosedicis.
Bastianini is desperate to leave KTM Tech3 amid interest from Aprilia and Pramac, as he has struggled to adapt to the RC16 since being booted out of the factory Ducati team to make a space for Marc Marquez. But he would want to stay if Tech3 become a satellite Ducati team.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career stats
Who would partner Bastianini, who has a factory contract with KTM for 2026, is less certain, despite his current Tech3 teammate Maverick Vinales also having a works KTM contract for 2026. Vinales may face an uncertain future if Steiner replaces Poncharal in charge of Tech3.
Were it not for Vinales’ tyre pressure penalty stripping the Tech3 star of P2 in the Qatar GP, he would be the lead KTM rider in the 2025 MotoGP standings. The 30-year-old’s penalty at Lusail cost him 18 points, which would take Vinales with 45 points above Pedro Acosta’s 58.
Bastianini is the worst-performing KTM rider in 2025 with 31 points, albeit only three fewer than Brad Binder has secured for the factory team. The Rimini native’s best performance so far since joining Tech3 from the works Ducati squad remains P7 in the Americas Grand Prix.
