Schwantz keen to run Moto2 team

The American, who won the world title in 1993, admitted that he has always wanted to run a team and has been a regular in the MotoGP paddock this season as he explores options for next year.

"My heart and soul is still 100 per cent in MotoGP and I've always wanted to be a guy who could run a team," said Schwantz. "I really have the desire and want to be back involved in grand prix racing.

"I'm just keeping an eye on things, keeping doors open for if an opportunity for me to get in and run a team from a management perspective comes up."

When asked whether it was a possibility that he could manage a Moto2 team, Schwantz said: "Absolutely. Right now, it's going to have to be a phone call that happens for me to want to undertake something like that. But I carry my phone with me all the time so, everybody, call away if that's what you want."

He added that although his entire career as a rider in MotoGP was with Suzuki, he would be willing to work with other manufacturers in the future.

"My entire career has been affiliated with, and competition-wise was around, Suzuki. But at the same time, maybe there are other options, maybe there are other opportunities out there for me," he said.

Schwantz believes that the change from the two-stroke 250cc class to the new four-stroke Moto2 category is a positive step and has been impressed by the amount of interest shown for 2010.

"I think the idea behind it is good," he said. "It's headed in a direction that should cost a whole lot more money than two-stroke racing, but at the same time I think four-stroke technology is the direction that most of the manufacturers are headed from a development standpoint.

"With one type of engine, everybody gets to build their own chassis to try to come up with some different ideas on what might work best. I have to go into it with an open mind, I think it could be really good.

"The fact that there's more than 40 teams interested in competing in the series, I think in itself is pretty exciting for MotoGP. Hopefully that new class will lend us some really, close competitive racing because the 250 field has really shrunk quite a bit."