IN
THE
WIND
P36
HAFIZH SYAHRIN CONFIRMED
AT TECH3 FOR 2018
H
afizh Syahrin will make Mo-
toGP history by becoming
the first Malaysian rider to com-
pete in MotoGP this year, after
it was confirmed he will replace
Jonas Folger in the Monster
Energy Tech3 team.
Syahrin's place in the Tech3
outfit was dependent on a good
showing at the Thailand Mo-
toGP test last week, with the
Malaysian impressing team boss
Herve Poncharal sufficiently to
be confirmed as a full-time rider
alongside incumbent Johann
Zarco in 2018.
In his first-ever test aboard the
Yamaha YZR-M1, Syahrin ended
the test in P22 of 24 and only 1.7
seconds off the fastest lap time
set by Dani Pedrosa (Repsol
Honda Team).
"I'm incredibly delighted after
receiving the good news that I
will ride with Monster Yamaha
Tech3 in 2018," says Syahrin.
"Following three very interest-
ing and great days of testing in
Buriram, where I learned a lot,
I want to thank my crew again,
especially Nico and Maxime, but
also Johann and Laurent for their
advices. In just a short time, I re-
ally learned to fully control a Mo-
toGP bike, which is still unbeliev-
able for me. I'll try to do my best
and will give all I have this year.
I want to thank Hervé, Yamaha
Motor Corporation, Monster and
the entire Tech3 team for be-
lieving in me and giving me this
fantastic opportunity to compete
full season in MotoGP. I'm just
overwhelmed!"
Team Manager Hervé Pon-
charal had already stated his
wish to keep the Malaysian, and
is now happy the deal is done:
"I'm really happy to announce
that Hafizh Syahrin will be the
second Monster Yamaha Tech3
rider alongside Johann Zarco.
It's been a tough time since we
heard from Jonas Folger, that
unfortunately he decided not to
race in 2018 in order to look after
his health and try to fully recover.
"I am very honored and proud
to give him this chance and I
know this is going to be some-
thing historical, because it's the
first time that a Malaysian rider is
racing a full season on a MotoGP
bike and we know how popular
our sport in this part of the world
is." CN
