GUENTHER STEINER SAYS HE WOULD NOT GIVE SENNA AGIUS A TECH3 SEAT FOR “THE WRONG REASONS”

Tech3’s next MotoGP line-up is shaping up around Senna Agius, with Guenther Steiner insisting the Australian’s promotion is not the result of “passport” politics or pay-to-play assumptions. While the deal for 2027 is still expected to be finalised and officially announced, reporting indicates Agius will be Luca Marini’s teammate in a new-look Tech3 pairing.

The selection has sparked debate because Agius is currently behind Moto2 championship leader Manuel Gonzalez by 59.5 points. With the second seat battle described as having come down to Agius versus Gonzalez, some observers have suggested Agius may not have earned the opportunity purely on merit. Steiner, however, is framed as having learned from his time in Formula 1 and would not repeat the kind of mistake he made when Haas signed Senna Agius’s predecessor in the “wrong reasons” category.

The comparison goes back to Haas’ 2021 all-rookie experiment, when Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin were brought in. Steiner’s decision-making is portrayed as having been influenced by sponsorship and financial backing: Mazepin was supported by his father Dmitry, whose Uralkali company became Haas’ title sponsor. Yet the results were poor, with Schumacher outpacing Mazepin and the team ultimately moving on after the 2022 season. Steiner is said to have restored Kevin Magnussen to the line-up just over a year after letting him go, reinforcing the idea that Haas prioritised performance and stability once the initial gamble failed.

In MotoGP terms, the argument is that Tech3 are in a healthier position than Haas was during that period. The reporting notes that Tech3 can afford to choose riders “on merit,” even if there could be additional commercial benefits tied to Agius’ profile. One such factor is the growing importance of the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, which is set to become a flagship event next year under new ownership by Liberty Media. The article suggests Agius’ promotion could be a major boost for the event, potentially helped by financial incentives, but Steiner’s stance is that any such advantages would be secondary rather than decisive.

The piece also draws a contrast with other riders who have been labelled as “pay” options. It references Somkiat Chantra’s situation at LCR Honda, describing him as effectively a pay rider in 2024, before moving to World Superbikes. Chantra’s Moto2 form is cited as having included a 12th-place finish in his final season and a peak of sixth in 2023, which the article uses to underline that Agius should not be treated as a similar case.

Ultimately, Tech3 are reported to have chosen Agius over Gonzalez because they believe he has a higher ceiling, even if his current performance level is slightly lower than Gonzalez’s. The reporting adds that KTM’s support is part of the picture, and that Tech3’s belief in Agius’ potential is what matters most rather than his standing in the points gap at the time of selection.

While the article acknowledges the possibility that Gonzalez’s chances could have been affected by perceptions around nationality, it argues that if teams truly viewed him as elite, they would have signed him regardless. With Agius set to get the opportunity to prove his place alongside Marini, the message from the reporting is clear: Steiner’s view is that Agius deserves a fair shot based on what Tech3 see in his future, not on assumptions about how the seat was won.