Kiefer Racing will continue in Moto2 under new ownership in 2🔯018, running KTM machinery for the retained Dominique Aegerter and new arrival Sandro Cortese.

The team's future had been uncertain 🐼following the tragic death of team boss Stefan Kiefer on the eve of October's Malaysian Grand Prix.

However,꧑ discussions with Vienna-based investment banker and ex-racer David Pickworth were already underway.

With financing and sponsorship from Russian investors, Speedweek.com reports that the necessܫary contracts for the change of ownership, plus machinery from KTM, are now complete.

"I received the last document from Jochen Kiefer [brother of Stefan] at 4pm last Thursday. I then had to have it checked by my lawyer. Then it was clear that I could take over the Kiefer Racing Team and the two Moto2 starting positions," Pickworth told Speedweek.com.

"Of course, everyone is very sceptical, as soon as you prono꧅unce the word 'Russia'. But we are moving in a methodical, professional way. We cannot influence the way people think about us. 𓂃All we can do is be very professional. And we will do that."

Kiefer Racing won the 2011 Moto2 World Championship with Stefan Bradl and 2015 Moto3 title with Danny Kent. 2017 saw the team cut back to Moto2, switch from Kalex to Suter and suffe🍰r the disappointment of a disqualified race win foꦫr Aegerter at Misano.

What does Pickworth expect from the new team in its first y🍬ear?

"I am very confident about our goals. The KTM won the last three races at the end of the se𒅌ason. The bike has proven it is competitive. We hav🧜e two good riders with a lot of potential. I guard against predictions, but I am very hopeful and expect to be near the front."

In terms of the funding, Pickworth added that the money to takeover the team comes from a Russian investor, while the money to go racing - which he states as 2.5 million euros, roughly matching the figure quoted꧟ by Forward Racing's Giovanni Cuzari - will be raised from sponsors in Rus💦sia and Switzerland.

"The names of these financiers 𒊎will be announced at the team presentation in Jaℱnuary."

Pickworth also wants the team to return to Mot🎶o3, in 2019.

"In an ideal world, we would like to work with KTM in the Mo𝓰to3 class. But let's wait and see what they think about us after the first season. Now there is a contract, they are less skeptical.

"If they see how we work and how we do it and what the team's performance is, I am sure they will alsoඣ talk to us about the Moto3 W💟orld Championship."

 ♋;Tarran Mackenzie, who rode alongside Aegerter for most of the season, is set t🐽o join BSB in 2018.