Gasly invests in Steiner-led Tech3 MotoGP team

Alpine Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has become the first active F1 driver to invest in a MotoGP team, joining the new ownership group of the Tech3 squad led by former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner. The investment highlights growing crossover interest between top motorsport series and comes as Tech3 faces a pivotal decision on its future manufacturer partnership.

Why it matters:

Gasly's move breaks new ground in driver investment, moving beyond traditional F1 team ownership rumors involving stars like Lewis Hamilton. It signals a trend of motorsport professionals diversifying their portfolios across different racing disciplines. For Tech3, securing investment from a high-profile F1 figure provides financial stability and increased visibility during a critical transition period under new leadership.

The details:

• Pierre Gasly's investment portfolio now spans multiple sports, including part-ownership of French football club FC Versailles and now a stake in Tech3.
• The new Tech3 ownership structure is led by motorsport professionals Guenther Steiner and Richard Coleman through IKON Capital, with additional investment from Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer) and Main Street Advisors (Paul Wachter of Fenway Sports Group).
• Tech3 is currently in a transition phase from founder Herve Poncharal's leadership to the new Steiner/Coleman operation, a process team principal Nicolas Goyon described as "strange" but ultimately smooth due to continuity in sponsors, brand, and riders.
• The team operates as a de facto second factory team for KTM, sharing the Red Bull title sponsorship, an identical livery, and factory-contracted riders Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini.

What's next:

The most immediate and significant decision for Tech3 is whether to renew its partnership with KTM beyond the 2026 season, as their current contract expires at year's end. While KTM's MotoGP future appears more secure under new ownership by Bajaj Auto, no formal commitments exist between manufacturers and MotoGP for the 2027 regulation change.

• KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer has stated that retaining Tech3 as a satellite team is "priority number one" and expressed mutual interest with Guenther Steiner in continuing the partnership.
• Regardless of the manufacturer decision, Tech3 is likely to have a completely new rider lineup for 2027, with Viñales poised to replace Pedro Acosta in the factory KTM team and Bastianini struggling to adapt.
• The team's future competitiveness will hinge on securing a strong manufacturer partnership and navigating a rider market filled with promising Moto2 talent and out-of-contract veterans.