KUALA LUMPUR: With an eye on the rookie standings, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah hopes to make a lasting impression at this weekend’s Dutch Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider crashed out of the race at Catalunya, which he considers his second home, earlier this month and is looking to get back on track in the fight for the Rookie of the Year title.
The Yamaha YZR-M1 is known to be well suited to the TT Assen Circuit and Hafizh is keen on delivering the goods.
"I will try my best in the Assen race as I want to finish in the points again and try to do the same like in Barcelona (Catalunya) — from free practice one (FP1) to race day before I crashed," said Hafizh.
"I hope I can do well there. From what I know from last year, the Yamaha bike works really good there. I hope the conditions will be good as well.
"I will keep working hard and also try to be ready with the team from FP1. I want to fight for the best rookie spot and aim to go to qualifying (group) two for the first time."
Teammate Johann Zarco clinched pole position in qualifying at Assen last season, riding the same 2016 chassis they are using now.
Hafizh has finished in the points in four of seven races so far this season and is currently 17th in the overall MotoGP standings with 17 points.
He is the second highest ranked rookie after Italian Franco Morbidelli at 16th with 19 points.
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