The 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is heating up as Round 2 heads to the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, and eyes are on Malaysian rider, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT Racing Team. With the home crowd behind him and plenty of motivation in the tank, Hafizh is ready to put on a show.
Round 1 in Thailand was a solid start to the season. Hafizh grabbed a strong third place in Race 1 and followed it up with fifth in Race 2, placing him fourth overall in the standings. It was a good foundation, but Hafizh knows there’s more to come.
“Round 1 wasn’t the best for me overall. In Race 1 I managed to fight for the podium, which was encouraging, but in Race 2 we just didn’t have the speed to stick with the front group. We’ve identified where we were lacking, and we’ve been working hard to improve in those areas. I took the positives from the weekend, and now my full focus is on Sepang.”
PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit is special for any Malaysian rider, and even more so for Hafizh, who has years of experience on the circuit and a massive fan following. Racing at home brings its own energy, something Hafizh is eager to tap into.
“Of course, racing at home gives you extra motivation. You know the track very well, and when the fans are out there cheering, it gives you that extra push. The atmosphere is incredible, and I can’t wait to feel it again. It just lifts your whole performance.”
Last season at Sepang, Hafizh showed promise with a pole position and two strong race results: P5 and P3. However, he admits there were valuable lessons learned from that weekend.
“I started from pole last year, but we made a few mistakes with the bike setup that cost us in the races. This time, we’re coming in smarter. We’ve got the data, we’ve got the experience, and we’ll work hard from FP1 to make sure we’re starting the weekend with a good feeling and strong pace. The goal is to fight up front.”
Being one of the most recognized names in Malaysian motorsport means Hafizh always rides with a big fanbase watching. But rather than pressure, he sees it as pure inspiration.
“I know there will be a big crowd again, and honestly, I want to do better than last year. Not just for myself but for all the fans who come out to support. I hope we can make them proud. I really encourage everyone to come and support not just me, but all the Malaysian riders. We’ll be giving it everything.”
When asked about the competition this season, Hafizh points out two familiar names, but makes it clear that he’s keeping his guard up against everyone on the grid.
“At the moment, I think Zaqhwan and Nakarin are the toughest competitors. They have a lot of experience with their bikes, and they know exactly how to manage the race. But to be honest, every rider out there is a challenge. We can’t take anyone lightly.”
For Hafizh, this season is about more than just winning races. It’s about consistency, growth, and keeping his eyes on the ultimate prize.
“My goal is definitely the championship, but I’m going to take it race by race. In racing as anything can happen. That’s why I’ve prepared myself physically and mentally to be ready for whatever comes. I’m here to fight every single round.”