PETALING JAYA: Moto3 rookie rider Hakim Danish Ramli showed strong grit and determination to finish 13th at the United States Grand Prix in Texas on Sunday (March 30) after starting from last on the grid.
The 18-year-old lined up 25th after suffering a heavy crash during qualifying, which left him without a recorded time at the Circuit of the Americas on Saturday.
But the Terengganu-born rider showed remarkable resilience to carve his way through the field to secure three valuable championship points.
Riding for AEON Credit MT Helmets-MSi, Hakim also capitalised on incidents involving riders ahead of him to climb into the points.
Italian rider Guido Pini of Leopard Racing claimed victory ahead of championship leader Spain's Maximo Quiles of CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team while compatriot Alvaro Carpe of Red Bull KTM Ajo completed the podium.
"It has been a tough week. I crashed during both practice and qualifying, and did not manage to set a time, which meant I had to start from pole position 25.
"I am grateful I stayed focused and managed my tyres well throughout the race. Thank you to my team and everyone who supported me," said Hakim after the race.
The three points lifted Hakim Danish to 12th in the Moto3 standings with a total of 10 points.
He is slated to compete in the Spanish Grand Prix from April 24-26.
