Tech 3 Team Principal Herve Poncharal reveals how much the separation from Pol Espargaro as a regular rider hurt him and how the decision came about
This year’s Tech-3-GasGas MotoGP season was dominated by Pol Espargaro’s serious injury right at the start of the season. This meant that the team’s leader was out for a long time and rookie Augusto Fernandez had to take over this role, with the Spaniard putting in some impressive races
After missing eight Grands Prix, Espargaro was also able to return to the track and fight to catch up. However, the long forced break took its toll – and KTM decided to sign Pedro Acosta for 2024, even though Espargaro was originally under contract with Tech 3 until the end of 2024.
A big disappointment for the Spaniard and not an easy situation for his team boss Herve Poncharal either, as he reveals in an interview with Motorsport.com: “It was hard for us to lose him, because I know Pol pretty well.”
“He was with us for two years when he started his MotoGP career on the Yamaha and he’s someone I really like. As a person he’s really friendly, he’s full of passion, full of life and he’s a really good character in the garage. “
Poncharal: Farewells are always sad
There were “many discussions” about who would be Fernandez’s team-mate for 2024, reveals Poncharal. The final decision was made by Pierer Mobility AG, which owns KTM and GasGas. However, the Tech 3 Team Principal went along with it, as difficult as it may have been for him in the meantime.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for me, because I’m a sentimental guy. I love the people. I love my team, and in the team there are the drivers. During a season, you share so much with your guys and riders. Highs, lows, joy, sadness, injuries, crashes. That makes the relationship even stronger.”
“Of course you’re sad when an adventure comes to an end. But you also have to understand the whole game,” says Poncharal, explaining what he means by that.
“If a manufacturer invests huge sums of money, it should also have a strong image, a positive image based on results. The more you invest, the more you grow, the more pressure you have, of course. “
The results are decisive
“Sometimes people tell me that there is too much pressure on the drivers. But if you choose this job, you have to understand and be prepared to work under pressure. You have to understand that you have reached the top and will only stay there if you can perform,” explains the Frenchman.
“I agree that sometimes there have been riders who have not been extended after too short a time. But on the other hand, there is a manufacturer who spends a lot of money and there are sponsors who push and say: ‘Where are the results? So we can’t be naive. Unfortunately, we can’t be too romantic. “
When it comes to his own influence in rider matters, Poncharal admits: “We have pushed for the factory to support our teams more and get more involved. But in doing so, we have also lost a little of our independence.”
“We are a large group, we exchange ideas, we discuss things. But sometimes there are decisions that look harsh or unfair from the outside.”
However, the MotoGP team boss wants to make one thing clear: “If they hadn’t signed Pedro, they might have lost him, just like they lost Jorge Martin a few years ago. Then he would have gone to Ducati, Aprilia, Yamaha – I don’t know where. We can’t be too naive. “
Pol Espargaro remains part of the KTM family
In addition, Espargaro has been made a fair offer, emphasizes Poncharal. He could be part of this group “almost forever” if he wanted to. “He will make a technical contribution, which is important. He will do a few races.”
“He will still have a connection to racing, but a bit more time. He has two daughters. So it’s not a complete disaster, bye bye, go to hell.”
“Of course it was a bit difficult at first to see Pol in a different role,” admits Poncharal. “But all in all, I think he’s happy in a way with a bit of distance. He has a job. He will have another job, but maybe this comes at the right time in his life. “
In any case, the team boss is “very happy” with the final constellation for 2024 with Fernandez and Acosta as regular drivers. “The fact that Pedro will be contesting his first season in MotoGP with us makes us very, very proud because he is a super talent.”
“I don’t want to say too much because some people are too excited and Pedro is not like that. He is very calm, even if some people say he is the new Marc Marquez. Marc is Marc. Fabio is Fabio. Pecco is Pecco. He will just be Pedro.”
“Having an interesting rookie like him and Augusto with us for the second year will be exciting. We also switched from KTM to GasGas this year. This brand will position itself as a brand for young people, with a bit more flavor and Latin American because it comes from the south of Europe.”
“I think the profile of Pedro and Augusto fits,” says Poncharal. “We are happy to have our own identity, even though we belong to the same group and have the same bike. But we are the GasGas factory team and they are the KTM factory team. This positioning of the team is interesting. “