All revved up

Khairul out to make the grade for MotoGP

PETALING JAYA: Moto2 rider Khairul Idham Pawi (pic) is all revved up for the new season to show he’s worthy of a place in the MotoGP next year.

And he wants to prove his quality when he races his Kalex motorbike at the Qatar Grand Prix starting today at the Losail International Circuit.

The 20-year-old Khairul is a two-time Grand Prix winner in his rookie Moto 3 season having won in Germany and Argentina in 2016 but since his promotion to Moto2 in 2017, he has struggled to make his mark.

But he’s determined to change his fortunes and become the second Malaysian to feature in the MotoGP. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is the only Malaysian to have made it to the MotoGP and will compete in his second season with KTM Tech3 Racing.

Khairul is ready to take up the challenge by doing consistently well in the Moto2 this year.

“Finally, the official season has started. I’ve been waiting for this moment ever since the first test with Petronas Sprinta Racing in November,” said Khairul.

“We’ve the potential to do better and still have a lot to prove. I want to thank my team for all the hard work and the improvements we’ve made so far. It’s time to switch to race mode and go for it.”

Khairul is also the sole rider for the Malaysian-owned Petronas Sprinta Racing team in the intermediate category.

It will be his first time riding for a Malaysian outfit. He spent the previous two seasons with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia.