Local racer Hafizh Syahrin, better known to fans as “Pescao 55″, will be the first Malaysian to compete in the 2018 MotoGP season with satellite team Monster Yamaha Tech 3, after a successful winter test in Buriram, Thailand. He joins twice Moto 2 champion Johann Zarco in the French team.
Hafizh will be riding the Yamaha YZR-M1, and posted a time just 1.7 seconds off the fastest laptime set by Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda Team. 23-year old Hafizh, who comes from Ampang, was previously slated to compete in Moto 2 with SIC Racing Team, but left suddenly, only to land the position vacated by Jonas Folger, who pulled out of the 2018 MotoGP season due to injury.
“I’m incredibly delighted after receiving the good news that I will ride with Monster Yamaha Tech3 in 2018,” said Hafizh. “Following three very interesting and great days of testing in Buriram, where I learned a lot, I want to thank my crew again, especially Nico and Maxime, but also Johann and Laurent for their advices. In just a short time, I really learned to fully control a MotoGP bike, which is still unbelievable for me,” he said.
“I’m really happy to announce that Hafizh Syahrin will be the second Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider alongside Johann Zarco,” said Tech 3 team manager Herve Poncharal. “It has been a long process to find somebody, who could be the one,” he continued.
“We had to convince all the people around us, that Hafizh is going to be a good MotoGP rider. Therefore, we had to give him a tough task during the three days of testing in Buriram. In the end, he did a tremendous job, he fulfilled the mission. Yamaha was more than happy with his performance and the whole Tech3 team was delighted,” said Poncharal.
Final testing for the MotoGP teams happens in Qatar on March 1. The 2018 MotoGP World Championship season begins at the Losail Circuit in Qatar on March 16.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Congrats on Hafizh! With the same bike as lejen Rossi, show the world what u can do.
Congrats Hafizh for doing so well. We know you have worked hard to achieve this. You are one of the few who don’t ask for bantuan.
Goes to show, working hard pays well and one will be successful.
Again with the bantuan bollocks. So let me quote the right honourable Yamcha on this:
“Don’t ever dilute his performance and succesful with degrading comment as mintak bantuan.
He is one of the talented charm that despite all odds coming from European rider even from his countrymen watering down his caliber, he proved them wrong. Give him an average bike to ride on, he will tail your superior European driven bike to the end and make their fan miserable on grandstand. He just need a better bike and crew to topple them. Now, Europe fans are in mixed emotion about his performance. Those who live on the bike like Mr Poncharal know the talent when he saw one. Some really love to give Syahrin a shot, while some want him to groom a bit more on moto2.”
try to improve your English john. Then you can understand better
keyword “Don’t ask for bantuan”
john, ko faham baca? Tembak tanpa baca betul
he like to call people caveman, but he himself caveman cannot understand Inggeris
panjang cerita john tapi tak relevan
john, do you know how to read?
Basic Inggeris tak faham, habis tulis macam marah
So much insinuations on Hafizh’s achievements. Jealous much? Deal with it.
At least Harizh can understand English!!
immature comment
I only see positive comments and praise for Hafriz. All comments say he is good
Agree with u other john. This guy got something screwed wrongs.
“We had to convince all the people around us, that Hafizh is going to be a good MotoGP rider. Therefore, we had to give him a tough task during the three days of testing in Buriram. In the end, he did a tremendous job, he fulfilled the mission. Yamaha was more than happy with his performance and the whole Tech3 team was delighted.”
“I am very honored and proud to give him this chance and I know this is going to be something historical, because it’s the first time that a Malaysian rider is racing a full season on a MotoGP bike and we know how popular our sport in this part of the world is.”
“I want to tell Hafizh: Welcome in our family! We will take care of you like our son and I’m quite sure we can have a great season. You can learn from the team, from Johann. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for your involvement. I can’t wait to be in Qatar with you on our bike.”
Again congrats hafizh! MotoGP this season will be the best yet for all malaysian fans!
PS. Petronas, please re-sponsor Hafizh.
Its time Hafizh to fly on his own. Pet shud continue to sponsor upcoming new talents.
PETRONAS please stay clear from this boy and let him focus on his racing
Dear dora,
whatever happens please undervalue the role and opportunity that PETRONAS has provided to HS ie Sprinta “kapchai” race, CEV European races and others. While I fully support HS for his determinations, attitude and talents in pursuing his MotoGP dreams. We also have to remember that opportunities were created thru Petronas local talent developments when no one even cares.
Therefore, HS please fly onwards on your dream to become first Malaysian MotoGP champ
Tahniah!! So there is a Malaysian rider in every category right?
That is correct. Aside from Hafizh in MotoGP, other Malaysian racers are Zulfahmi Khairuddin – SIC Racing Team and Khairul Idham Pawi (SuperKIP) – Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, in Moto2, with Adam Norrodin of Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto3.
This news brings more joy than the news on reduce in fuel price…
This is the best news so far for 2018. Congrats Syahrin…!!
congratulations
and all the best
Told ya he was talented.
He got talent to walk thru the door. Now he must show he oso got talent to stay with the crowd. All da best to Hafizh!
Go on and make us proud Ampang dude!
He wasn’t nicknamed ‘the fish’ for nothing. Well done!
Now dont blow up this chance like zulfahmi did at redbull ktm.
hope Malaysian will appreciate local motorsports talent more. Felt gutted that local radio can casually talk about English football, but not local rider during MotoGP week for the pass few years.
Majulah sukan permotoran untuk negara
congrats!! wow chance to be side by side with Rossi
Congratulation hafizh…welcome to herve poncharal family!!!. do ur best and show the world…
u make me proud to be a malaysian…
We pray for u for the successful with the M1 machine in all 19 races motogp 2018.
good luck…
Congrats ‘little fish’ aka Pescao 55!
Congrats Hafizh!! Really proud to be a Malaysian right now…Show the world what we Malaysian riders are capable of…Now I need to buy a flight ticket to kl from borneo and watch him race in Sepang this NOV…
After so much trust.. Can he deliver? Im so worried cuz i dont want him to be the 2nd ‘alex young’.. Qatar 1st day 23rd..2nd day 21st..3rd?
Race day : 14.