Tech 3 and KTM will continue together for a further five years it was announced at Jerez Sunday morning, the the two parties signing a contract extension running until 2026.
Tech 3 has run in MotoGP as KTM’s official satellite squad since the ’19 campaign after 19 seasons running as Yamaha’s chief satellite operation, a partnership that secured the French outfit’s first two premier class victories in Austria and Portugal last year.
The two team’s bond became strengthened even further for this season after Tech 3’s title partner Red Bull elected to take a step back and support only the factory KTM organisation, the Austrian manufacturer deciding to increase its funding stream to Tech 3 on top of providing full-factory machinery.
Tech 3 thus has been running as Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing this year, a tie-up that will continue for a further five years.
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 team owner, says he feels “very proud” to continue his venerable outfit’s relationship with KTM going forward, adding that being the first MotoGP independent to sign a monster five-year deal with a manufacturer was “quite an achievement.”
“I feel very proud, very privileged and very honoured to announce our renewed partnership with KTM,” said Poncharal.
“I think we will be the first independent team to announce a five years agreement with a manufacturer in MotoGP history.
“This is quite an achievement and it’s also highlighting how strong our relationship is and how well the first three years of our partnership have been working.”
KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer says it was “vital” for KTM to continue to enjoy a strong relationship with an independent racing outlet, describing the partnership as effectively being ‘one team’ as the final step on the marque’s grand prix racing structure that encompasses Red Bull Rookies, Moto3, Moto2 as well as the premier class.
“We are very proud to make this announcement of a new five-year deal with Tech3,” said Beirer.
“It is a very important strategic move for us as part of our long-term strategy in the sport.
“We already agreed our participation with Dorna for another five years and it was vital to have that foundation and stability in MotoGP by renewing our agreement with Tech3.
“For the last few years we have been building-up our structure and now it provides an incredible path from Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, Moto3, Moto2 and then four valuable places in the premier class where we want to succeed.
“With Hervé and the Tech3 crew we have the ideal partner and we see the whole operation as part of ‘one team’. It’s more than a pleasure to say we’ll be able to attack the next five years together.”
KTM and Tech 3’s news comes off the back of the former having signed a five year extension to remain a part of the premier class until ’26 back in January, the manufacturer having competed in full-time MotoGP since the ’17 campaign.
It has built in competitiveness slowly but surely since it made its premier class bow, culminating in a strong ’20 showing that saw its first three wins in the series-courtesy of Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, the latter scoring two-as well as a best ever riders points result of fifth for Pol Espargaro, fourth its reward in the manufacturers standings.
Tech 3 meanwhile had to wait 373 races to finally grab a maiden victory in MotoGP, though it had been able to bag a grand total of 28 rostrum results across its near two-decade run with Yamaha prior to switching to factory-spec RC16’s.
