Red Bull KTM Ajo, the team currently leading the Moto3 ™ World Championship with Jack Miller, has announced that Portuguese Miguel Oliveira will join Aki Ajo’s team in the 2015 season.
Oliveira is already statistically the most successful Grand Prix driver of Portugal of all time and is starting his fourth World Championship season as the spearhead of the line-up of Mahindra Racing. In the current overall standings he is ninth after having achieved four podiums, one pole position and three fastest laps in his career so far.
The deal between 19-year-old Oliveira and Red Bull KTM Ajo was hit in Misano last weekend, with rumors about the paddock already connecting the two parties.
Aki Ajo, team manager:
“I’m really looking forward to working with Miguel from 2015, because we’ve known each other for a long time and he is one of the greatest talents in this paddock. Although he is still a young man, he has extensive experience both in the 125cc and at the highest level in Moto3. Just like in recent years with Red Bull, KTM and other partners, we will work to maintain the same level and achieve the best possible results; with Miguel, I am sure that we have the potential to do so.
As usual, we have to think about the future and so we decided to get Miguel, but at this point in the current season the most important thing is to keep our focus on the 2014 Moto3 World Championship. We’re in a good position now, but it’s still a very close series with a lot of drivers at the front. “
Miguel Oliveira:
“I’m really excited to join a group as professional as Red Bull KTM Ajo and I think that with this move I can fight for the top spots next season. Aki Ajo had shown interest in our collaboration in the past, even though we had never signed a contract. So I’m very happy to be part of this structure, which is supported by a big factory like KTM and represents companies like Red Bull and the other big partners. I’m honoured.”