Racing to get nod
Hafizh needs Immigration clearance to compete in MotoGP
Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is itching to get back on the saddle again with the MotoGP world championship which is set to resume in the middle of next month. And he is hoping to get the official nod to leave the country.
The season stalled by the Covid19 pandemic will begin with backto-back races at the Jerez Circuit in Spain on July 19 and 26 but with the country’s borders still closed until Aug 31, Hafizh needs approval from the Immigration Department to travel abroad.
He said an official request has been made to the Youth and Sports Ministry to allow him and two other riders to leave for Europe.
“The plan is to leave for Spain in early July to join our respective teams. We will be based in Spain where most of the teams competing in the world championship are now.
“I hope we will be allowed to compete as it’s important for us not to miss any races.
“It will not be a long season as some races have been cancelled. But the races will be very close to each other, so we can’t miss out on any of them as it’s important to my mission to fight for a top-five finish,” said the 26-year-old Aspar
Racing Team rider, who managed to compete in the opening round in Qatar in early March before the season was halted.
The other Malaysian riders are Petronas Racing Team Moto2’s Khairul Idham Pawi and Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin, who competes for ONEXOX TKKR SAG.
Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing
Team (SRT) principal Datuk Razlan Razali said special applications have been made for all three as well as himself and seven other crew members to leave the country.
A minimum of 12 races are planned in Europe but the calendar may be expanded with races pending in Thailand, Malaysia, the United States and Argentina.