Guenther Steiner Admits He's 'Not Prepared' for MotoGP Return, Aims for Top with Tech3

Guenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 team principal, has identified a significant hurdle following his acquisition of the MotoGP team, Tech3 KTM: he admits he is "not prepared" for the new challenge. His consortium's full ownership of the top-flight squad was announced ahead of the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix, marking a major return to motorsport for Steiner since his departure from F1 at the end of the 2023 season.

• Why it matters: Steiner's return to a leadership role in a major motorsport series highlights his continued influence and ambition. His candid admission of being unprepared, despite his vast experience, offers a realistic perspective on the steep learning curve involved in transitioning between F1 and MotoGP, while still aiming for the championship's pinnacle.

• The details:

  • Steiner’s consortium acquired full ownership of the Tech3 KTM team.
  • The new structure takes effect from the start of the 2026 MotoGP season, with the first race in Thailand on March 1.
  • Steiner will serve as chairman, executive chairman, and CEO.
  • His partner, Richard Coleman, will become the team principal in 2026.
  • Steiner confirmed on the Red Flags podcast that he will attend "quite a lot of races" but not all, planning to also continue some F1-related TV work.
  • He acknowledged, "I need to learn a lot as well, by the way," and when asked about his preparedness, stated, "Not yet... I'm not prepared. I need to get my brain behind that one. So, I will get ready, for Thailand next year."

• What's next: Despite the admitted preparation gap, the 60-year-old Italian has grand ambitions for Tech3. Steiner intends to "take it forward, to take it to the top," believing the team possesses "all the potential" and "good people." He has the remainder of this year and all of 2025 to fully immerse himself and prepare for the 2026 season opener.