MotoGP | Official, Hafizh Syahrin in Top Class with Team Yamaha Tech3

Team Yamaha MotoGP Tech3 – Hafizh Syahrin will race in MotoGP with the Yamaha Tech3 Team. He will be the first Malaysian rider to arrive in the Top Class, where he will replace Jonas Folger, who shortly before the recent Sepang tests had informed the French team that he could not race the 2018 season due to a rare genetic disease, Gilbert's syndrome. The German did not feel completely ready, both physically and mentally, and had therefore communicated to the team his temporary withdrawal from competitions.

In Sepang it was the Colombian Yonny Hernandez who replaced him, but in the end Hervè Poncharal, Team Owner, decided to hire Syahrin for the season that is about to begin, after using him in the Buriram tests. The choice was also supported by Dorna, which has a great interest in the Asian market, given the growing popularity of motorcycles in the country.

Syahrin raced in the Moto2 class, where he achieved two podiums, at Misano and Motegi. He will take to the track in Thailand, the scene of the next IRTA MotoGP tests, scheduled from 16 to 18 February on the Buriram circuit.

The French Team had also thought about the luxury tester Michele Pirro, but the offer was not the best and in Borgo Panigale they would certainly have made false claims to keep the man who together with Stoner made the Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP grow, who obtained the best-lap with Jorge Lorenzo, the best lap ever done on the Malaysian track, 1:58'330.

“I am incredibly happy after receiving the good news, in 2018 I will race with The Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team. After three days of very interesting and fantastic testing in Buriram, where I learned a lot, I want to thank my Team again, especially Nico and Maxime , but also Johann and Laurent for their advice – said Hafizh Syahrin – In a short time I learned to completely control a MotoGP, which for me is still incredible. I will try to do my best and give everything I have this year. I want to thank Hervé, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Monster and the entire Tech3 team for believing in me and giving me this fantastic opportunity. Thanks to my family, who has always supported me to make this dream come true, especially my father, thanks to my fans and of course to Razlan (SIC Chief Executive Officer). I can't wait to try again in Qatar where I will be even more motivated. Honestly, I can't wait for the season to start.”