Syarifuddin earns full-season Moto3 seat with MT Helmets-MSI
SEPANG: After missing out on the opportunity to compete as a full-season rider in the world championships this year, Syarifuddin Azman will finally get his chance to race in the Moto3 class next season.
Syarifuddin has mentor-cum-manager Zulfahmi Khairuddin to thank for securing him a seat with MT Helmets-MSI next year.
Zulfahmi, whose outfit ZK Racing grooms and manages young riders on behalf of Sepang International Circuit (SIC), said ZK have taken the risk of signing Syarifuddin with MSI despite not having an approved budget from SIC.
It is a norm for rookie riders in Moto3 to bring in sponsorship to the team they compete for.
ZK Racing will have to come up with the funds for Syarifuddin if there is no allocation from SIC.
Zulfahmi had secured Syarifuddin a seat with a world championship team last year though the deal fell through due to funding issues.
“I have taken the risk of signing Syarifuddin to the team (MSI) under ZK Racing. If I had waited for a response from our stakeholders, we would have missed the seat,” said Zulfahmi at Sepang Circuit today.
“It takes a long time to get confirmation of a budget from SIC or Sports Ministry. The availability for seats in the world championship is limited. Usually, by this month (October), everything is snapped up.
“After negotiating with several teams, we found that MSI are the best option for Syarifuddin.
“Syarifuddin has shown steady improvement each season and deserves to be in the world championship next year.
“We, however, need to keep finding sponsors to ensure that he competes in the world championship next year (if there is no allocation from SIC or Ministry).”
Syarifuddin, who will ride alongside Brazilian Diogo Moreira next year, is eager to make the step up.
He is currently competing as a full-season rider in the FIM Junior GP World Championships and is fourth in the overall standings.
“I was sad when they told me last year that I would not compete in Moto3 this season,” said Syarifuddin.
“But that did not dampen my spirits. I motivated myself to prove to everyone that I could do it.
“I am grateful that my results this year are much better, and subsequently given this opportunity.
“I am quite familiar with Diogo as we have raced together at the junior level. I am looking forward to racing alongside him.”
The 20-year-old is racing on a wildcard in Moto3 with VisionTrack Racing Team at the Petronas Malaysian Motorcycling Grand Prix this weekend.
He finished 10th in free practice one (FP1) after clocking two minutes and 13.448s but was 27th in FP2 on 2:14.941s.
“I felt strong and confident in FP1 but the weather changed in FP2. And we had some issues with the grip levels,” said Syarifuddin.
“We focused on our long-run setup (in FP2). Hopefully, the team can improve my bike for tomorrow so I can secure a slot in the qualifying two (Q2) session.”
NST
