KUALA LUMPUR: Sepang International Circuit (SIC) are considering a number of options for Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah's seat in Moto2 if the rider joins MotoGP’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team this season.
It is said that former Moto3 and World Superbike Championship (WSBK) rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin is one of the options.
A source disclosed that SIC have sent Zulfahmi to train alongside Hafizh and their current Moto3 rider Adam Noroddin at the SIC Racing's European base in Barcelona.
"There are a number of riders on the list and Zulfahmi is one of them the team is looking at," said the source.
For now, Zulfahmi is the most realistic option SIC have as he is not tied down to any team at the moment and is also very experienced at the World Championship level, having spent a combined six seasons in Moto3 and 125cc class as well as two seasons in WSBK.
It is also believed that SIC’s other option is Khairul Idham Pawi though it will be harder to entice him away from Idemitsu Honda Team Asia. Honda have been grooming the rider for much of his career and are hoping to see him improve in his second season in Moto2 this year.
Tech 3 are considering Hafizh as a replacement for their rider Jonas Folger, who has been forced to sit out the whole season due to illness.