Maria Herrera will return to Moto3 action at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix as the injured Albert Arenas’ replacement at Aspar, and will continue to ride in his place at Sepang next week.
Spaniard Arenas suffered a fracture to his right hand in a crash during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, and was forced to miss the Motegi race as a result.
Ruled out of the upcoming races in Australia and Malaysia, the Aspar Mahindra squad has called on Herrera to take his place for the next two rounds.
Herrera missed the Japanese Grand Prix after the AGR team pulled out of the Moto3 and Moto2 class due to financial issues following the Aragon round – which she was also forced to sit out due to a shoulder injury sustained in warm-up at Misano.
Herrera’s best result in the Moto3 class of 11th came at Phillip Island in 2015 while riding a Husqvarna badged KTM, and is looking forward to returning to racing this weekend on a package new to her.
“I am very excited to be able to compete with the Aspar Team,” Herrera, who is 34th in the standings on one point, said.
“I have always wanted to be in a good team and Alvaro Bautista has always spoken very well about both the team and Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar‘.
“Alvaro was world champion with them, and also Julian Simon, so I have to take this opportunity.
“I do not know the bike, but I will try to adapt as quickly as possible. When I train, I do it with a bike that has a very similar chassis, and it’s something that can come in handy because I have a good corner speed.
“For me, Phillip Island is one of the best tracks on the world championship calendar. In my first year I was eighth in qualifying and 11th in the race.
“Last year I was also in the front positions, so I think it’s a good opportunity for us.”
The Aspar team will swap to KTM machinery next season as Indian manufacturer Mahindra end its time in grand prix racing to focus on its electric motorsport programme.
The Spanish outfit will be joined by Italian Grand Prix winner Andrea Migno next year, while current rider Lorenzo Dalla Porta will partner Enea Bastianini at Leopard Racing.
Herrera’s plans for 2018 remain unknown at present.
