The Angel Nieto Moto3 team has confirmed its line-up for the 2019 season, bringing in Raul Fernandez to join current rider Albert Arenas.
The newly renamed Nieto outfit – formerly Aspar – has enjoyed a strong season with its switch to KTM machinery, with Andrea Migno and Arenas tallying up 110 points between them thus far.
Arenas endured a tough start to the 2018 campaign, but a shock win at Le Mans – awarded to him after a post-race penalty for Fabio Di Giannantonio – has transformed his fortunes, and has leaped up to 13th in the standings on 50 points.
“I am really happy to sign up for another season in Moto3 with the Ángel Nieto Team,” said Arenas.
“The truth is that together we have taken our KTM to a good level, we are consistently fighting for the podium and we are competitive.
“Staying with the same team for another season has a lot of positives that will mean we are strong again.
“I am happy that I can now concentrate solely on the races that remain of this season, which are quite a few.
“I am going to keep giving my best and building on what I have learnt, in order to improve together and achieve our goals.”
New teammate Fernandez has made six wildcard appearances in Moto3 since 2016, and managed two top 10 finishes with Nieto in Barcelona and Germany this year. He currently leads the CEV Moto3 standings with the team.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be moving up to the World Championship in 2019 with the Ángel Nieto Team, the team that has supported me and educated me throughout my career so far,” he said.
“This announcement takes a lot of pressure off because now all I have to think about is fighting for the FIM CEV Moto3 title.
“I am currently leading it and we will keep working as we have up to now, but with a little less weight on my shoulders. My future is in the World Championship and what better way to make that move than with the team that I am fighting with to become Junior Moto3 World Champion.
“I am happy to continue growing with this team, even though I know it won’t be easy and the first few rounds will be a case of adapting to the circuits, the bike and the level.”
With the SIC Yamaha team takings its place in MotoGP, Nieto will return to Moto2 next year, running KTM chassis. Migno's 2019 plans are unknown at present.
