Maria Herrera secures Repsol sponsorship, set to join world championship in 2013

One of the brightest young stars among the current Spanish racing newcomers is without a doubt 15-year-old Maria Herrera. The young Spaniard finished second in the EVO class of the Cuna Campeones Bancaja in 2010 with a win and three podiums and took the title in the Pre-GP class of the Mediterranean Championship last year. Previously she was already having several successful seasons in regional and manufacturer championships. For 2012 the rider from Oropesa (Toledo) was chosen to participate in the Red Bull Rookies Cup [Vroom Magazine reported] and she will also compete in the Spanish Moto3 Championship to prepare her for a move to the world championship in 2013.

She’s been supported from very early on by fellow Toledano Álvaro Bautista who is giving her racing advice while they train together frequently. He backs her financially as well while she is now also managed by Armando Guerrero, Álvaro’s manager. How much potential the young girl possesses has now been underlined by a sponsorship agreement with Repsol as Spanish sports magazine Marca reports, the oil giant being known for purposefully building up and supporting riders they believe will make it far. Aside from the Repsol Honda Team they also support Marc Marquez in the Moto2 class and Maverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira in the Moto3 class. Speaking of, when testing the bike Vinales had been riding two years ago, she was even faster than the 2011 Rookie of the Year had been with it.

According to Marca nothing is signed yet, but the deal would see Maria riding in the Repsol colours with the Monlau team, led by former world champion Emilio Alzamora, with a Honda NSF250 in the Spanish Moto3 Championship this year and then move up to the world championship next season when she’s 16 and old enough to compete there. She has already been testing with the team at Albacete, together with current world championship rider Miguel Oliveira, and surprised the team with her strong laptimes.

This kind of support and financial backing will be important for Maria to have a competitive ride in the Spanish championship as well as for her first steps in the world championship and give her the opportunity to gradually improve. But first she has an exciting year in the Red Bull Rookies ahead of her where she’s the first girl ever to be chosen for a complete season. On her way so far she’s constantly been breaking the limits for girl racers and is currently viewed as one of the most talented newcomers in the Spanish racing world – female or male.

Source: Marca