The Portuguese Grand Prix this weekend signals the beginning of the end for one of MotoGP’s most respected figures — Herve Poncharal — as he nears the conclusion of his long and successful journey as owner of the Tech3 team.
From January next year, the French squad will transition under new ownership led by former Haas Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner, marking a major shift in MotoGP’s team landscape.
Poncharal founded Tech3 in 1990, starting in the 250cc class before claiming a world title with Olivier Jacque in 2000. The team then stepped into MotoGP in 2001 and went on to partner with several manufacturers over the decades, including Yamaha and KTM.
Tech3’s biggest highlight came in 2020, when Miguel Oliveira delivered two grand prix victories, marking the team’s first wins in MotoGP.
Aside from his team duties, Poncharal also played a vital leadership role off the track as president of the International Race Teams’ Association, a position he held until earlier this year.
Speaking to Italy’s GPOne, Poncharal reflected on his upcoming farewell with deep emotion.
“Grand Prix racing has been my life for almost half a century,” he said. “When you dedicate your heart and all your energy to a project, it’s difficult to say goodbye.”
He revealed that Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta personally reached out, expressing his appreciation and brotherly bond, reinforcing how much Poncharal’s presence has meant to the sport.
“My adventure as team owner ends on November 16 in Valencia,” Poncharal said. “It will be emotional, but not sad. I’ve made this decision with a lot of thought and peace.”
As he prepares to close this chapter, Poncharal admits the farewell will be filled with powerful emotions but hopes to face it with gratitude and pride for what Tech3 has achieved.
