Tech3 KTM is edging toward signing Luca Marini for 2027 after team owner Guenther Steiner ruled out renewing with Maverick Vinales.
“I spoke with a few riders. You don’t only get a guy who rides a bike; you get a person who needs to be part of a team,” Steiner told assembled journalists during the German Grand Prix. “They need to fit in. I didn’t know Luca before. He’s a very pleasant guy. He’s got lots of experience, and he can help us to get better. As a human being and a rider… could he be an asset to the team? Maybe yes.”
Steiner also ruled out signing Brad Binder, who lost his factory KTM seat to Fabio Di Giannantonio for 2027. The Italian believes his squad needs “a fresh start” with a new name as his favored option.
“There’s a long history there [with Binder and KTM], and sometimes you need to start from fresh, not to carry too much over. I mean, we speak all about these difficult situations, and in the end, we need to be, I call it a ‘happy team’ going forward. We don’t want any ‘old baggage.’ We want to start afresh.
“Therefore, maybe it doesn’t fit in, people which were associated with the group—not only with Tech3 and KTM, but with the group—for too long of a time, because you always go back to how it was in the old days. Sometimes you need a fresh start.”
Australia’s Moto2 star Senna Agius is the favorite to take Tech3’s season seat for 2027.CN
