Matthew Birt · @birtymotogp
2nd Sep 2014 from TwitLonger
Caterham poised for Moto3 switch in 2015
The British-based Caterham squad is expected to quit Moto2 and complete a shock move to the Moto3 world championship in 2015.
Caterham boss Johan Stigefelt confirmed at Silverstone last weekend that talks are underway to quit Moto2 after just one season to field a two-rider Moto3 effort.
Caterham currently runs Johann Zarco and reigning American superbike champion Josh Herrin in Moto2, and doubts were raised about the team’s future when Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes sold Caterham’s F1 car outfit to a Swiss and Middle East consortium in July.
Stigefelt insists the bike racing team’s future is secure, with a final decision on which class it will race in next season expected imminently.
Stigefelt told MCN: “A transfer to Moto3 is being discussed but we haven’t 100% excluded our Moto2 plans. It is not 100% decided that we ditch Moto2 but we will certainly be in Moto3 with a two-rider team. We are checking the options but we need to decide very quickly if we go in the Honda or KTM way in Moto3.”
With the team bankrolled by Malaysian entrepreneur Fernandes, one Moto3 slot will certainly go to Malaysia’s GP regular Zulfhami Khairuddin. And the second rider is also likely to be Malaysia, with Hafiq Azmi also in the frame.
Both have backing from AirAsia, which is owned by Fernandes, and the airline is already the title sponsor of Caterham on Moto2.