Luca Marini will race for Tech3 KTM from the 2027 season on a two-year deal, ending a three-year stint at Honda HRC and becoming the first rider signed under Steiner’s new ownership.

The Italian’s arrival was confirmed by Tech3 on 26 August. He replaces Enea Bastianini, the current Tech3 rider who is leaving for Trackhouse Racing through 2028.

“Luca is a rider we have been watching closely, and we are very pleased to welcome him to Tech3 from 2027.”

Steiner, now Tech3 CEO, described the 29-year-old as a fit for the team’s rebuild.

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“He brings a huge amount of experience, but also the right mentality and approach for what we are building here.”

Steiner took over Tech3 in early 2026

Steiner led a consortium, backed by investment group IKON Capital, that took over Tech3 in a deal announced in September 2025 and completed at the start of 2026. Founder Hervé Poncharal has moved into a consultant role, with project partner Richard Coleman appointed team principal.

The team kept its Bormes-les-Mimosas base in the south of France and its KTM machinery. Marini is the first rider Steiner has personally recruited, because Bastianini and Maverick Vinales had raced under direct KTM contracts.

Marini was not on the shortlist when Steiner started planning for 2027. His agent approached the CEO at the Italian Grand Prix, and a follow-up meeting with KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer in June sealed the deal.

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The Haas template: experience over rookies

At Haas, Steiner built the F1 team around experienced midfield hands. Romain Grosjean started with him at the launch in 2016 and Kevin Magnussen carried the seat for most of the years that followed, with only occasional rookie experiments.

According to The Race, that same instinct shaped the Marini call: Steiner is willing to blood one Moto2 promotion for the second seat, but not two rookies at once. The Race reports Marini has outscored his Honda factory team-mate Joan Mir 86-29 across the 2026 season so far, despite out-qualifying Mir just once all season.

“Luca understands how to work at this level of the sport, whether it’s collaborating with the engineers, developing the bike or pushing forward in challenging circumstances,” Steiner said.

850cc and Pirelli tyres from 2027

2027 is the biggest technical shake-up MotoGP has faced in years. Engine capacity drops from 1000cc to 850cc, fuel tanks shrink to 20 litres, ride-height devices are banned, and Michelin is replaced as control tyre supplier by Pirelli.

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“2027 will be a big reset for MotoGP, so having a rider who can contribute to our progress in this new era will be important,” Steiner said.

Tech3’s second 2027 seat has not been filled, with a Moto2 promotion expected to complete the line-up.

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