Grieving Hafizh needs to focus on race this weekend
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah has to keep his emotions in check when he returns to Moto2 action at the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano this weekend.
The 26-year-old lost his grandmother Arbaieah Mohamad, 67, to stage four lung cancer yesterday.
Hafizh, who was very close to her, was thankful that he managed to be with his ailing grandmother before she passed away.
He had been at home to recover from his injuries sustained in a scary crash at the Austrian Grand Prix last month after serving out a two-week self quarantine.
In that race, Hafizh was confronted by Enea Bastianini’s motorcycle in his path and smashed into it at full speed. He was taken to hospital for pelvic bruises and missed the next round of the championship at the same Red Bull Ring track.
“I’m glad I got to meet her for the last time. It’s hard to experience this but it is fate. I have lost someone I love a lot,” said an emotional Hafizh.
“I know my grandmother is in a good place. Now, I am left with memories of her.
“I thank her for raising me and the other grandchildren,” added Hafizh, who had to leave immediately after the burial to join Team Aspar Racing for the seventh round of the world championship in Italy.
Hafizh will need to focus on the tasks ahead especially as he is still unsure of his career direction for next year.
He has not secured a race seat for next year. A top five overall finish in the championship will put Hafizh in the driving seat to secure a place to race with the Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2 team in 2021.
It is the best chance for Hafizh to get a ticket to return to the premier class (MotoGP) racing in 2022.