KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah will be riding on a more powerful 2013 Kalex machine in the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend.
Last year, Hafizh was astride a 2011 FTR machine and he powered home to a creditable fourth in torrential rain.
Expectations are sky high on Hafizh for another good show as he prepares to make his third wildcard appearance at Sepang with a new and powerful machine.
Hafizh is up for the challenge.
“I’m looking forward to racing in front of the home crowd again. Last year’s ride was certainly memorable and I know that everyone is expecting me to do better this year,” said the 19-year-old.
“I will try my best not to disappoint, especially with the new bike.”
Hafizh’s new machine was unveiled at the Bukit Kiara Extreme Park yesterday in front of his cheering fans.
Also present were head of Petronas Motorsports Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali, Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) chairman Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha and Petronas Raceline Malaysia team manager Barry Leong.
Hafizh is in his second season in the Spanish Championships where he is now third in the standings on 110 points, just 36 points behind leader Roman Ramos of Spain with two more rounds to go.
In Spain, Hafizh is using the 2012 version of the Kalex machine.
Meanwhile, Anita is confident of Hafizh repeating his last year’s performance in Sepang.
“We are very proud of his achievements so far. We know that he will give his all in the race on Sunday and we will be there waiting for him at the finish line,” she said.
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