Guenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 boss who started as CEO and co-owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team in January, has drawn a notable Marc Marquez MotoGP comparison, aligning Marquez with Formula One superstar Max Verstappen. He discussed MotoGP’s appeal, the role of tech and talent, and what he hopes to bring to his new team as the championship evolves.
Steiner Shares His Passion for MotoGP and Tech3 Team
Guenther Steiner revealed his long-standing admiration for MotoGP, highlighting its excitement and the unique competitiveness riders face. Steiner, who recently stepped up to lead Tech3, emphasized how tightly contested the sport is, compared to Formula One, spotlighting the pivotal influence of individual talent.
“It’s one of the sports I’ve always liked because it’s just so exciting. The racing is incredibly close, and the talent of the riders really shines through.
“In MotoGP, it’s much more down to the rider than the driver in Formula One.
“They fight man to man on the bike – it’s pretty cool to watch when they’re so close together.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
“Technology-wise, the bikes are monsters… I always loved MotoGP, but I never had the opportunity to get involved. Now that chance came, and I said, ‘Let’s try to do this.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
Tech3 stands out as MotoGP’s oldest privately-run outfit. Herve Poncharal, who founded the team, remains on board as a consultant, offering support to Steiner and the newly-appointed team principal, Richard Coleman. Poncharal’s ongoing involvement is seen as an advantage for the team as it transitions under Steiner’s direction.
“Herve is a great guy with a lot of experience,”
said Steiner.
“He’s done it for a long time and having him stay on with us [in 2026] is a big advantage.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
Pursuing Success in a Competitive Field
Tech3’s recent achievements include race wins with Miguel Oliveira and podiums with riders like Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini. The team’s competitive spirit reflects MotoGP’s open nature, as evidenced by Jorge Martin’s 2024 title win for Pramac, the first championship by an independent outfit using a factory-spec Ducati. Steiner emphasized how determination and hard work can bring top-level results in the series.
“In MotoGP, an independent team can win a championship.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
“If you do a good job, you can win.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
Despite recent successes, Steiner acknowledged that building a foundation for lasting results takes time. He brings decades of motorsport experience but stresses the importance of learning from MotoGP veterans and respecting their expertise.
“I respect MotoGP a lot. There are great people with years of experience. You can’t buy experience – it takes time.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
“I’ll spend the first six months learning before saying what needs to change – because the people in MotoGP have done this for a long time, and I have a lot of respect for that.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
Comparing Marc Marquez to Max Verstappen in MotoGP
Addressing the debate over the greatest in modern MotoGP history, Steiner brought up legends like Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. He pointed out that Marquez—fresh off matching Rossi’s nine world titles—epitomizes the kind of elite skill and edge seen in Max Verstappen on the Formula One grid.
“Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi – for me, they’re the best,”
he said. – Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
“And Valentino… he was unique, a real character who could do anything on a bike.”
– Guenther Steiner, CEO and Co-Owner, Tech3
The Marc Marquez MotoGP comparison with Verstappen draws attention to Marquez’s relentless drive and exceptional ability, placing him on a similar pedestal as Verstappen in their respective sports. Steiner’s insights affirm that MotoGP remains a platform for extraordinary individuals to showcase talent at the highest level.
Looking Forward with Tech3 and MotoGP
As Steiner settles into his leadership role at Tech3, he carries the weight of nearly forty years in motorsport while seeking to blend fresh perspective with respect for MotoGP’s legacy. With experienced partners like Poncharal and an ambitious strategy, Tech3 aims to build on its historic pedigree and pursue further success in the intensely competitive championship. The influence of riders such as Marc Marquez and icons like Rossi, alongside recent independent victories, signals a dynamic era ahead for the sport and teams willing to innovate and adapt.
