F1 2026 Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
July 19, 2026
Accomplished Alpine Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly invested in shares of the newly rebranded Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team through his investment fund, Trail Slam.
The strategic investment positions Gasly as the first active F1 driver to hold a stake in a MotoGP outfit, following the team’s acquisition by a consortium led by former Haas F1 principal Guenther Steiner and IKON Capital in September 2025.
Pierre Gasly‘s entry into Tech3’s ownership structure comes at a pivotal moment for the French-based squad which has long been a cornerstone of MotoGP excellence since its founding in 1990 by Hervé Poncharal.
“I have a strong conviction in the strength of the Tech3 brand and the long-term growth of the MotoGP sport,” said Gasly. “Tech3 has significant untapped potential, and I look forward to contributing to further elevating the team’s profile.”
Tech3 joined the MotoGP class in 2001 after clinching the 250cc World Championship title the previous year, amassing an impressive legacy that includes 38 podiums and two Grand Prix victories in the premier category.
Over the decades, the team has nurtured talents like Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and more recently, high-profile riders such as Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales, who will spearhead the 2026 effort aboard the latest KTM RC16 machinery.
The catalyst for this transformation was the September 2025 takeover spearheaded by Guenther Steiner who departed Haas F1 at the end of 2023 after a tenure marked by candid insights and resilient team-building.
Partnering with business ally Richard Coleman as team principal, Steiner assembled a powerhouse investor group including Bolt Ventures—led by David Blitzer, a stakeholder across NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, and MLS teams—and Main Street Advisors, managed by Paul Wachter with $8.7 billion in assets tied to sports and entertainment giants like Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox.
Additional backers such as ALK Capital, Barry English of Penman Holdings, Tom Stafford, Charles de Carvalho, and Richard Cook of Dolphin Capital further bolster the consortium, though exact share distributions remain undisclosed.
“It’s a very exciting time to be entering MotoGP, and it was important to Ikon Capital and me to bring together a group of like-minded investors who share a long-term vision for the Tech3 team,” said Red Bull KTM Tech3 CEO Guenther Steiner.
“We are joined by a strong group that understands motorsport, brings genuine value-added capabilities, and shares our core values. Just as importantly, we are committed to preserving Tech3’s heritage while taking a measured, strategic approach to growth.
“This is about building on what already works, and I’m looking forward to working together to shape the team’s future.”
The transition to new ownership preserves Tech3’s heritage in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France, while injecting fresh capital and expertise to elevate its competitive edge, especially as MotoGP eyes record attendances and global expansion following a 21% surge in fans to 3.6 million in 2025.
“Having an investor group of this stature acquire KTM Tech3 MotoGP team is a strong endorsement for MotoGP and for the championship’s trajectory of global growth,” MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta added.
“We are excited to welcome the group to the paddock and look forward to working in partnership to bring the championship to new audiences around the world.”
Pierre Gasly investment portfolio in sports is quite detailed; he previously bought a stake in third-tier French football club FC Versailles, demonstrating a pattern of supporting domestic and international athletic ventures.
His decision outpaces rumored interests from F1 peers like Lewis Hamilton who had been linked with investment into KTM in the past, prior to the change in ownership.
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