A legendary era is drawing to a close in the world of MotoGP, and it’s a bittersweet moment for fans and the sport itself. The upcoming Portuguese Grand Prix marks the beginning of the end for Hervé Poncharal, the charismatic owner of the Tech3 team, as he prepares to step down from his iconic role.
Tech3, a French powerhouse, is set to undergo a significant transformation. From January onwards, it will be under new ownership, led by none other than Guenther Steiner, the former boss of the Haas Formula 1 team. This change of guard is particularly notable given that Poncharal has been the heart and soul of Tech3 since its inception in 1990.
The team’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting in the 250cc class, Tech3 tasted championship glory in 2000 with Olivier Jacque, just a year into their partnership with Yamaha. The following year, they made the leap into MotoGP, becoming a Yamaha satellite team until the end of 2018. A bold move in 2019 saw them switch to KTM, and it paid off with their first-ever MotoGP win in 2020, courtesy of Miguel Oliveira’s two grand prix victories.
Poncharal’s influence extends beyond the track. He was a long-standing president of the International Race Teams’ Association, a role he held until earlier this year when Lucio Cecchinello, the boss of the LCR team, took over. Poncharal’s impact on the sport is undeniable, and his departure will leave a significant void.
But here’s where it gets emotional. This weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix, a race Tech3 won in 2020, will be Poncharal’s penultimate round as team owner. In an interview with GPOne, he admitted that the coming weeks will be an emotional rollercoaster. “Grand Prix racing has been my life for almost half a century,” he said. “Saying goodbye to a project you’ve dedicated your heart and soul to, not just on the track but also in building a successful business with long-term employees, is incredibly tough.”
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta’s words of reassurance, calling Poncharal his “brother” rather than a friend, highlight the depth of their relationship. Poncharal’s adventure as team owner will come to an end on November 16th in Valencia, and he anticipates a highly emotional event. “I don’t want to call it sad because I’ve given this decision a lot of thought,” he said. “But I know I’ll be overwhelmed by powerful emotions.”
As we bid farewell to an era, it’s a reminder of the human stories and emotions that make sports so captivating. What do you think about this changing of the guard? Will Tech3 continue to thrive under new ownership? Share your thoughts in the comments!