Seize the moment
Hafizh needs a strong season to make MotoGP jump next year
KUALA LUMPUR: This will be a decisive season for Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah as he sets his sights on riding in the premier class MotoGP in 2018.
After three full seasons in the intermediate class, the time is right for the 21-year-old to earn promotion to MotoGP with his Petronas Raceline Yamaha team.
No Malaysian rider has ridden in the MotoGP. So, it will be a historic occasion if Hafizh, who is seen as the closest candidate with his vast experience, makes it.
But Hafizh will have to fight hard to earn his stripes and convince his sponsors of his ability to tackle the highest class of the world championship.
Hafizh, who has impressed with his mastery of wet conditions, is aware of what is at stake as he prepares for his fourth full season in Moto2.
“Last year was my best ... but I hope to do even better when the new season starts next month.
“I’m targeting a top-five overall and to fight for a few podiums.
“I came close a few times to get on the podium last year, but I hope to have more opportunities this year,” said Hafizh, who finished fourth three times last year (Qatar, Spain and United Kingdom).
Hafizh finished an impressive ninth in the Moto2 overall standings with 118 points and was fifth for his best finish in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
Four riders, led by double world champion Johann Zarco of France, have moved up to ride in the MotoGP this year and Hafizh should seize on the opportunity to challenge at the front consistently.
The other three making their MotoGP debuts at the Grand Prix of Qatar on March 26 are 2015 Moto2 world champion Jonas Folger of Germany, Spaniard Alex Rins and Britain’s Sam Lowes.
“The fight for the front still remains very competitive. Four riders – Thomas Luthi (Switzerland), Lorenzo Baldassarri (Italy), Franco Morbidelli (Italy) and Takaaki Nakagami (Japan) – are very experienced and fast.
“They should be the ones fighting for the world title this year ... I hope to stay close to them,” said Hafizh, who won the SIC-MAM (Motorsports Association of Malaysia) People’s Choice Rider of the Year award last week.
Luthi was last year’s Moto2 world championship runner-up.