Guenther Steiner identifies major first hurdle following motorsport career change

Guenther Steiner has identified a major first hurdle since acquiring a MotoGP team, in that he is "not prepared".

It was announced ahead of this weekend's MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix that a consortium led by Steiner had acquired full ownership of the top-flight Tech3 KTM squad. 

The new structure will take full effect from the start of the 2026 season, with MotoGP's season-opener next year set to be held in Thailand on March 1. 

For Steiner, it represents a major return to motorsport since departing Haas at the conclusion of the 2023 F1 season. 

The Italian will hold the roles of chairman, executive chairman and CEO, with his partner Richard Coleman to become the outfit's team principal in 2026. 

"I will be chairman, executive chairman and CEO," Steiner revealed on the Red Flags podcast. "I will go to quite a lot of races, but not all of them. 

"But I've got Richard, a buddy of mine, he's the team principal, so he is going to all the races, but I will still be doing some F1 races, on TV and hanging around. 

"But, I will put some focus on MotoGP. I need to get it to work, and I need to learn a lot as well, by the way."

Steiner eyes MotoGP peak

For Steiner, he has the remainder of this year to prepare for his new roles at Tech3 in 2026, with him accepting that he is currently not ready.

Discussing if he is prepared for the new adventure, Steiner explained: "Not yet, because we will takeover only next year, not right now. We take over beginning of '26 so, yes, I'm excited, but I'm not prepared. 

"No, I'm not prepared yet. I need to get my brain behind that one. So, I will get ready, for Thailand next year."

Despite needing to prepare for the major career change, the 60-year-old has big ambitions for Tech3, with Steiner eyeing the top of the two-wheeled championship.

Asked what the goal is, Steiner stated: "To take it forward, to take it to the top. But we all know only one can be on top.

"But it has got all the potential. It's a good team. It's got good people there. So why not?"