Moto2: Kiefer takeover in doubt

Dominique Aegerter, Sandro Cortese and Kiefer Racing face an anxious Christmas after the team's takeover is reported to have stalled.

Vienna-based investment banker David Pickworth was planning to acquire the team (with Russian backing) and secure a switch to KTM machinery for Moto2 next season.

But according to Speedweek.com the deadline for a bank guarantee to the Austrian manufacturer has been missed, the final handover of Kiefer Racing is yet to take place and the whole project looks in jeopardy.

"I've had sleepless nights. I'm lost for words," Cortese is quoted as saying.

"I fell out of the sky when I heard the news," added Aegerter, referring to the expired KTM deadline.

Pickworth said: "I have not disappeared... I think it is better that we wait and let things play out... There are too many people with too little knowledge and too many opinions. We call it the Dunning-Kruger effect."

Do you still see a chance to buy the team? "You’ll need to ask other people."

Dorna is unsurprisingly 'worried' by the situation and working to help the team and riders.

Back-up options include possibly placing Cortese at the SIC Moto2 team, alongside Hafizh Syahrin.

Aegerter could remain at Kiefer, while KTM are still willing to build motorcycles should funding be found. If not Suter, the team's 2017 partner, is a possible Plan B.