KUALA LUMPUR: Rookie Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah proved he belongs with the big boys after scoring commendable points finish on his MotoGP race debut at the season opening Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix late on Sunday.
Starting from 15th on the grid, the Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider dropped down to 17th early in the race before fighting his way back up to finish a respectable14th, crossing the line 20.299 seconds adrift of race winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati). The Italian won in a time of 41:34.654s.
Hafizh was second best among the rookies after Italian Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) who came in 12th (+16.274s).
The 23-year-old, who earned two valuable championship points, will be happy with the result as his goal was only to finish his maiden MotoGP race without mishap. Tech3 signed Hafizh as a late replacement for the ill Jonas Folger.
"I am grateful to finish 14th. I have promised the team to work harder and do better in future races,” said Hafizh.
“I am hoping to be a more consistent rider. I would like to thank everyone for the support they have given me.”
It was, however, heartbreak for Tech3 teammate Johann Zarco of France who lead from the start until the last five laps before fading late in the race and finishing eighth (+7.112s).
Argentina will host the next round of the championships at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit on April 6-8.