Alpine Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has officially joined the ownership group behind the MotoGP team Tech3, marking a historic move as the first active F1 driver to invest in a premier-class motorcycle racing team. Gasly’s decision comes within a broader reshaping of the Tech3 team ownership and reflects his growing involvement in MotoGP alongside his motorsport career.
Gasly explored the MotoGP paddock initially in 2019 at the Thai Grand Prix, where he forged a connection with notable MotoGP star and fellow Frenchman Fabio Quartararo. His involvement with Tech3 is seen as a significant milestone for cross-discipline engagement in top-tier motor racing.
Expanded Ownership Group Includes High-Profile Investors and Industry Veterans
Tech3 recently revealed its revamped ownership structure following a takeover dominated by motorsport figures Guenther Steiner and Richard Coleman, along with investment firm IKON Capital. Joining them are new stakeholders such as Bolt Ventures, led by David Blitzer, who is known for ownership roles across basketball and hockey franchises, and Main Street Advisors, founded by Paul Wachter, a partner in Fenway Sports Group responsible for holding stakes in major sports teams including Liverpool Football Club and the Boston Red Sox.
Gasly’s entrance into Tech3’s ownership adds to his existing sports investments, which encompass partial ownership of FC Versailles, a French football club competing in the third division.
Transition and Challenges Under New Tech3 Management
Tech3 has been a respected satellite team within MotoGP for more than two decades, historically aligned with Yamaha before switching to KTM motorcycles to deepen their factory collaboration. Recently, Tech3 has functioned almost as a second factory team for KTM, sharing sponsors like Red Bull and fielding factory-contracted riders Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.
The team is currently navigating a transition period since the start of 2024, with founder Herve Poncharal stepping down and new management under Steiner and Coleman taking charge. Nicolas Goyon, Tech3’s team principal, described the winter transition as unusual but manageable, noting the continuity of sponsorship, riders, and branding helped stabilize operations.
“It’s true that it’s been a strange winter. I’ve been working with Herve since 2003, so it’s a long work together,”
Nicolas Goyon said.
“So in the end the transition was quite smooth, even if in December we were, let’s say, on our own.”
Upcoming Strategic Decisions on Manufacturer Partnership
One of the most critical decisions Tech3 will face early in 2026 is whether to maintain its partnership with KTM or seek a new manufacturer alliance. KTM’s MotoGP program has rebounded since a recent financial crisis and remains supported under new ownership by Bajaj Auto. The manufacturer is actively developing its new 850cc MotoGP prototype and intends to continue its racing efforts.
“As we know, our contract with KTM ends at the end of the year. Our main option is to stay with KTM,”
Goyon explained.
Resolving this partnership will directly influence rider contracts and lineup strategies for the 2027 season. Currently, it appears Tech3 may not retain Vinales, who is favored for KTM’s main factory team role, nor Enea Bastianini, whose adaptation has been challenging.
Nevertheless, there are promising rider candidates from Moto2 and available riders out of contract who could form a competitive team roster.
KTMs Commitment to Tech3 and Future of Satellite Teams
KTM’s motorsport director Pit Beirer emphasized the importance of keeping Tech3 as a satellite team and the broader value satellite teams add to the MotoGP championship. Although contractual agreements with MotoGP promoter Dorna are currently in flux ahead of future racing periods, KTM’s preference to maintain the partnership with Tech3 remains clear.
“Absolutely, that’s priority number one. At the moment, that’s the situation that not one manufacturer has the contract with [MotoGP promoter] Dorna for the future contract period, so that’s also of course why nobody is doing the deal with a satellite team,”
Beirer said.
“I can tell you Tech3 is our wished partner going into the future, and I got the same feeling from Guenther, and that’s what we’re working on in the next weeks.”
“And yes, we want to have a satellite team, 100%. That’s part of a strong and healthy MotoGP project. I feel you need four bikes, that’s the perfect number.”
The Broader Implications for Gasly and MotoGP’s Development
Pierre Gasly’s investment into Tech3 marks a unique intersection between Formula 1 and MotoGP, bridging motorsport disciplines through direct ownership involvement. This increasing engagement from prominent figures in different branches of motorsport could lead to further strategic partnerships and innovation in both arenas.
For Tech3, the fresh capital and insight provided by Gasly and the expanded group of experienced investors could strengthen the team’s competitive positioning amid MotoGP’s evolving regulatory landscape, including upcoming changes to bike specifications such as the 850cc regulations slated for 2027.
The decisions Tech3 makes regarding manufacturer alignment and rider selection will be crucial not only to the team’s future success but also to shaping the satellite team model within MotoGP, which serves as a vital development platform for talent and technology.
