Tech3 says it is close to making a decision on whether to continue its relationship with KTM or join forces with Honda for the start of MotoGP’s 850cc era.
All announcements regarding the 2027 season, whether related to rider signing or agreements between manufacturers and satellite teams, are still pending, as the various stakeholders in the championship wish to first finalise the new commercial agreements with MotoGP SEG, the new name for Dorna Sports.
But discussions are continuing behind the scenes, and Motorsport reported at the end of March that Honda is looking to expand its satellite roster by signing Tech3, which is currently contracted to KTM.
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner, who now serves as Tech3’s CEO after completing a takeover of the French squad last year, is leading the discussions with Honda.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport France, Tech3’s team manager Nicolas Goyon provided an update on the outfit’s plans for 2027.
“Behind the scenes, every manufacturer has been conducting negotiations with its independent team,” he said. “For teams such as, for example, VR46, nothing has been officially announced, but everything is already clear on their side: they will continue with Ducati.
“If you pay attention, I think every team has clarified the situation. The only team still in talks is us. It’s true, Guenther is also talking to Honda.
“I think Honda is looking to acquire a third team. Guenther is coming in, having discussions, assessing the market as it stands, and exploring the various possibilities. The only option that seems to be on the table [apart from KTM] is Honda.
“Guenther is simply carrying out market research. We have a good agreement with KTM, but he’s also weighing things up; he doesn’t want to make any knee-jerk decisions. He’s studying the market to see what the options are. And then he’ll make his choice.”
Nicolas Goyon and Günther Steiner
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
As of yet, no decision has been made at Tech3, but according to Goyon, the commercial discussions with the championship are not having any effect.
“Nothing has been finalised; talks are ongoing,” he added. “Dorna’s issues with the manufacturers are a separate matter. That doesn’t stop us from conducting our own negotiations and seeing how things pan out.”
Goyon is hoping for a swift decision to the matter: “I was hopeful that it would be announced here. But it won’t be.”
“I think a strong trend is emerging,” he added. “Now we need to finalise the details. I think that’s where we are, and I hope it will be announced soon.”
If Goyon is hoping for a swift resolution, it is largely because the rider market is moving on and the number of options for Tech3 could dwindle.
“My role is at least to tell Guenther that we need to finalise the manufacturer, that we need to know which manufacturer so we can talk to the riders. Because we have riders coming to see us, who want to talk to us, but we don’t really have a project to offer them at the moment. So, making progress on this is absolutely vital.”
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