IT has been a case of too little too late for Amirul Hafiq Azmi as the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has announced it will not be backing him next year.
The SIC-Ajo rider has struggled in his debut season in Moto3 and was only able to score his first points when he finished 13th at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday. The Sepang race is the penultimate of the season.
SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said there is no room to be sentimental in developing local talent.
“We expected more from him. Although this is his first season (in Moto3) he has had two years with the Red Bull Rookies, one year in the Spanish CEV and had four or five races in the World Championships last year,” said Razlan.
“It (his Sepang performance) is a little too late for him. We hope with his experience other sponsors will take him on so he can continue in Moto3 or maybe move to the World Superbike Championships.
“We do not want to be too sentimental or emotional with our (Malaysian) boys as this is the reality of motorsports.
“It does not just happen to Malaysian riders as even European riders get cut mid season after poor performances.
“It would be different if he has his own sponsor but we are investing in him so it is something we have to consider with great detail.”
Razlan added that the newly-formed SIC Racing Team wanted an experienced and competitive rider to partner Zulfahmi for next season, ruling Amirul Hafiq out of the equation. By Fadhli Ishak