Hafizh eyeing MotoGP Rookie of the Year crown

PETALING JAYA: MotoGP newcomer Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah has set his sights on contending for the Rookie of the Year crown.

The 23-year-old impressed on his debut by finishing 14th to secure two world championship points in the season-opening race in Losail, Qatar, last week.

Hafizh also came in as second-best performer to Franco Morbidelli, who was 12th, among the five rookies.

Morbidelli is the highest-profile debutant having entered the premier class as last year’s Moto2 champion. Hafizh wants to keep his feet firmly on the ground as he seeks to improve further at the Argentine GP next week (April 6-8).

Asked if he sees himself running for the Rookie of the Year, the Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider said: “I think it’s still too early to tell.

“Maybe after three to four races, then I would be able to answer you.

“But it’s a very desirable title that everyone (the rookies) wants to try and win. I’m taking it as a motivation to do well.”

Although Hafizh could not have asked for a better start to the season, he reckons there’s still a lot of work to be done – particularly adapting to the more powerful machine than what he used to ride in Moto2 last year.

“What matters most to me now is to try and finish every race because I’m still very new to MotoGP,” said Hafizh, also known as Pescao (fish in Italian) due to his prowess in the rain.

“The more laps I complete, the more experience I gain. I’m trying to work on the consistency that would eventually get me into the top 10, top five and subsequently podium finishes.

“It won’t be so soon for sure but I know it’s only a matter of time before I get there,” said Hafizh, adding that he was proud to be the first Malaysian MotoGP rider.

“We have now proved to the world that Malaysians can compete and excel in all classes of the world championships.

“I hope to keep doing the nation proud,” he said.