KUALA LUMPUR: Monster Yamaha Tech3 team principal Herve Poncharal has given Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah the best motivation despite the Malaysian rider not being able to finish the Grand Prix of the Americas in the United States last week.
Poncharal praised Hafizh’s attitude, as he had initially fallen during the warm up session, but he still managed to start the race before enduring more bad luck which dashed his hopes of a strong finish as he was competing with the leading pack of riders.
"I sympathise with Hafizh as once more he put up an impressive performance,” said Poncharal.
“He could have had his best finish to date but sadly he fell during the warm up session and used new tyres which took him in another direction instead.
"He was brave and insisted on starting the race, and he did it, he was fast and moved his way up the field to 11th, but he made a mistake which cause him to fall.
"Even though he did not manage to collect any points, Hafizh is still well placed in the latest riders chart for the premier class of MotoGP with nine points, ahead of Italian Franco Morbidelli who has six points.
"Whatever it is, he still leads the rookies and we are very proud of him. He is still learning and I think he will be so much stronger in Spain and France,” said Poncharal.
The fourth round of the season , the Espana GP at the Jerez Circuit is expected to take place on May 6 before moving on the the team’s home race, the French GP, 14 days later.