- Günther Steiner invites Lando Norris to a MotoGP test with Tech3 KTM
- Steiner took over Tech3 completely in 2025
- Norris has been an avowed MotoGP fan for years
After winning his first Formula 1 world championship title, Lando Norris is not only the talk of the town in the premier class of motorsport. The British driver’s success is also attracting attention in the MotoGP paddock. Günther Steiner, the new owner of the Tech3 team, publicly floated the idea of putting Norris on a KTM MotoGP bike.
Invitation after winning the title
The invitation was made during a podcast appearance by Günther Steiner. The former Haas team boss and current Tech3 owner explained that Norris would be welcome to test a MotoGP bike. Steiner made it clear that this was not a concrete plan, but rather an offer that could be realized if there was interest.
Steiner said:
“He is welcome to ride our bike next year. It has the same color [as the McLaren], papaya… OK, it’s orange, but they are very similar. He can come and ride it; we will find a way to arrange it. It would be something nice for him, although I don’t know if Zak Brown would be happy to see him ride a MotoGP bike.”
Günther Steiner and the new Tech3 structure
In late summer 2025, Steiner and investors completed the full takeover of the Tech3 team. The purchase price was around €20 million, equivalent to approximately $21.7 million. From the 2026 season onwards, Steiner will serve as CEO of the structure, while Richard Coleman will take on the role of team principal.
Initially, little will change in terms of the team’s sporting performance. Tech3 will remain KTM’s satellite team and will continue to compete under the name Red Bull KTM Tech3. Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini are once again scheduled to ride the two RC16 machines for the season.
Lando Norris and his connection to motorcycle racing
Norris’ connection to motorcycle racing has been well known for years. Even before his career in formula racing took off, he gained experience in motocross. In interviews, Norris has repeatedly stated that motorcycles were his first great passion.
During his appearance at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Norris explained:
“You know what, I would love to do motorbike stuff. That’s actually where I started.”
He went on to explain that long before he entered formula racing, he preferred motocross, quad bikes, and off-road vehicles. He named Valentino Rossi as his great role model.
Norris is also a regular visitor to the MotoGP paddock as a spectator. At the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix in Misano, he was a guest of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team.
Not a novelty in international motorsport
A possible test by Norris would not be a unique case in motorsport history. There have been several overlaps between Formula 1 and MotoGP. Michael Schumacher once tested a Ducati Desmosedici in Mugello. Lewis Hamilton drove a Yamaha M1 in Valencia in 2019 in an exchange with Valentino Rossi. Fernando Alonso also sat on an RC213V at a Honda event in Motegi.
Conversely, MotoGP riders such as Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez have ventured into Formula 1 cars for tests. However, such appearances remained exceptions and usually had no sporting background.
Open questions and possible hurdles
Whether a test will actually take place remains to be seen. Norris is under contract as a McLaren driver and has close ties to the team. Existing sponsorship commitments could also play a role. Steiner himself hinted that such an appearance might not be met with enthusiasm by all parties involved.
What is certain is that the invitation is purely informal at this stage. No specific date or fixed test program has been mentioned.
