Tech3 extends KTM partnership to 2027

Tech3 said on May 16 that it had signed a new multi-year agreement with KTM to continue as the Austrian manufacturer’s satellite MotoGP team from 2027. The announcement, carried by MotoGP’s official site and by both organizations, extends a partnership that began in 2019 and keeps Tech3 tied to KTM into MotoGP’s next technical cycle. KTM said the agreement means it will continue to field four RC16 motorcycles in the championship. Tech3 said rider line-ups and the 2027 team structure would be announced later. ### What exactly did Tech3 and KTM agree to? Tech3 said the new contract is a “multi-year agreement” that starts in 2027 and keeps the French team in its current role as KTM’s satellite entry in MotoGP. The team said it will continue to race KTM machinery and remain part of the manufacturer’s broader premier-class program. (motogp.com) KTM said the arrangement preserves its four-bike presence on the MotoGP grid, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Tech3 together making up that effort. The manufacturer described the renewed deal as a “fresh multi-year agreement” and a “refocused alliance” with Tech3. (motogp.com) ### Why does the number of bikes matter here? KTM said on May 16 that the new agreement keeps four factory KTM RC16s in the MotoGP World Championship. That is the most concrete competitive detail in the announcement, because it confirms Tech3’s continuing role alongside the factory team rather than a reduction to two bikes. (ktm.com) Tech3 said its operation will continue as a “key extension” of KTM’s factory effort, with factory-supported machinery and technical collaboration across KTM’s four-rider project. The team also said the setup supports KTM’s bike development and rider development pipeline. (ktm.com) ### How long have the two sides been together? The partnership began in 2019, according to Tech3, KTM and MotoGP’s official report on the announcement. Both sides said the relationship has produced race wins and podium finishes since then. MotoGP’s team page for Red Bull KTM Tech3 lists KTM as the bike manufacturer and identifies Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini as the team’s current riders. (motogp.tech3racing.fr) That places the renewal in the context of Tech3’s existing role inside KTM’s present MotoGP structure. (motogp.com) ### What did the new Tech3 leadership say about the renewal? Guenther Steiner, Tech3’s CEO, said the team was “not starting from zero” with KTM and said continuity would help both sides adapt to MotoGP’s incoming rules. Steiner said the existing relationship gave Tech3 “a solid foundation” heading into the next regulatory era. (motogp.com) Tech3 said the agreement followed “months of evaluation” by its new leadership under Steiner. The team said the decision ensures continuity as MotoGP approaches the 2027 technical regulations. ### What did KTM say about its plans? (ktm.com) Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, said KTM had aligned its “strategy and ambitions” with Tech3 and was looking at “2027 and beyond” with a “clear objective to compete at the very highest level.” KTM’s statement also thanked Steiner and the Tech3 team for their commitment to the project. (motogp.tech3racing.fr) MotoGP’s official report said the Tech3 squad will race with KTM machinery “into the era of new technical regulations, coming next season.” That places the renewal directly against the 2027 rules reset rather than as a short-term extension of the current arrangement. (ktm.com) ### What comes next before 2027 arrives? Tech3 said further details on rider line-ups and team structure for the 2027 season will be announced “in due course.” Neither Tech3 nor KTM gave a contract end date beyond saying the deal is multi-year and begins in 2027. (motogp.com) The next milestone is the start of MotoGP’s 2027 technical era, which MotoGP’s official coverage said begins next season. Until then, Tech3 remains KTM’s current satellite team, with Viñales and Bastianini listed on MotoGP’s team page as the present riders. (motogp.com) (motogp.tech3racing.fr)