At the start, Hafizh launched brilliantly off the line to seize the early lead, immediately putting himself in control of the race. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES stayed close in pursuit, while Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM slotted into third ahead of Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM.

By Lap 3, Hafizh underlined his dominance, clocking the fastest lap of 2’05.621s at a blistering top speed of 288.8 km/h, with Keito just 0.888s behind, pushing hard at 290.3 km/h in pursuit.

The race began to settle into rhythm by Lap 4, with Hafizh leading ahead of Keito, Lachlan, Adenanta, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, and Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM.

As the laps progressed, Hafizh steadily pulled away from the field. By Lap 8, he had built a commanding 4.792s advantage over Keito, with Lachlan, Zaqhwan, and Andi battling fiercely behind. A lap later, the gap extended further to 5.203s, while Andi made his move past Zaqhwan to climb into fourth.

On Lap 10, Andi continued his charge, overtaking Lachlan and setting his sights on Keito in second, as the JDT RACING TEAM duo began to assert their presence at the front.

By Lap 11, Hafizh’s lead had grown to 6.788s, while Andi closed to just 0.744s behind Keito. The pressure intensified further on Lap 12, with Andi narrowing the gap to just 0.215s, setting up a crucial battle for second place.

The decisive move came on Lap 13, when Andi executed a brilliant overtake on Keito at Turn 9, promoting himself into second and creating a provisional 1-2 for JDT RACING TEAM. Keito dropped to third, with Zaqhwan and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA rounding out the top five.

On the final lap, Hafizh was untouchable, cruising to victory with a dominant margin of 29’35.664s. Behind him, the fight for second went down to the wire. Despite Andi’s strong defence, Keito launched a last-gasp move on the final straight, snatching second place by just 0.006s, finishing at 29’40.443s, with Andi forced to settle for third at 29’40.449s.

Hafizh said, “The first win was nice, I had to do it twice, and we did it today. I can say it’s a perfect weekend with perfect pace. I stayed focused on my rhythm and didn’t look back. On the last lap, I actually ran out of fuel, but luckily I managed it to the finish. Thank you to my team, VAMOS! Special thanks to TMJ for this journey, and congratulations on the newborn. This victory is for all Malaysians who came to support us, even those who came straight after the football match last night. We delivered again as a team with P1 and P3. I’ve sacrificed a lot, training every day, cycling, gym work, riding… Everything! This double win is what I’ve been chasing since last year, and finally, we’ve done it.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (29’35.664s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (29’40.443s)
3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (29’40.449s)
4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.402s)
5. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.523s)

Hafizh made a phenomenal launch off the line, immediately seizing control of the race ahead of Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM and Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. Close behind were Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, as the front group quickly formed under intense early pressure.

By Lap 2, Hafizh had already broken clear with a 1.771s advantage, while Zaqhwan and Keito moved past Lachlan in a fierce battle for position. On Lap 3, Hafizh underlined his dominance by clocking a blistering fastest lap of 2’05.677s with a top speed of 284.2 km/h, stretching his lead further as Keito advanced to second ahead of Zaqhwan.

Drama unfolded on Lap 4 when Lachlan crashed out in a high-side incident, while Hafizh continued to build his advantage, now 2.636s clear of Keito. Behind them, the battle intensified with Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Nakarin trading positions, as Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM steadily climbed into contention.

From Lap 5 onwards, Hafizh was in a league of his own, consistently extending his lead beyond the three-second mark. By Lap 10, the gap had grown to 4.788 seconds, while Andi surged past Azroy to move into fourth, setting up a late-race charge.

The closing stages saw Andi continue his impressive pace, eventually overtaking Zaqhwan to secure third place, completing a strong showing for JDT RACING TEAM. Up front, Hafizh remained untouchable, crossing the line in a commanding 29’32.797s, 5.370 seconds ahead of Keito, who finished second at 29’36.823s. Andi sealed the final podium position at 29’38.088s, marking a perfect start to the season for the team.

Hafizh said, “I’m still not really happy with my pace because I was targeting consistent 2’05 mid to high, but I can be satisfied with the result. From the first lap, I already had a good gap, so I focused on understanding where I can improve further for Race 2. Even though it looked comfortable, I won’t relax because my competitors will come back stronger tomorrow. Physically, it wasn’t easy. I felt quite tired after qualifying session. My heart rate went up to 206, and I lost a lot of fluids. During the race, I just told myself to stay relaxed and enjoy it, and in the end, it paid off. A P1 and P3 for the team is a very good start.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (29’32.797s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (29’36.823s)
3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (29’38.088s)
4. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’40.696s)
5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’44.378s)

Hafizh immediately stamped his presence in Practice 1 with a strong lap of 2’06.365s, edging out Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, who posted 2’06.799s. His teammate Andi Farid Izdihar followed closely in third with 2’06.818s, while Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA and Australia’s Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM completed the top five in a tightly packed opening session.

In Practice 2, Hafizh elevated his performance further, lowering his benchmark to 2’05.693s to maintain control at the top of the timesheets. Zaqhwan responded strongly to secure second with 2’05.903s, while Andi held steady in third at 2’05.972s. Japan’s Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES impressed in fourth, followed by Rocco Sessler of SAVITAR TEAM ASIA, both demonstrating competitive race pace as the field tightened.

Practice 3 saw Hafizh deliver his most decisive performance of the day. The experienced Malaysian rider pushed even further, setting a blistering 2’05.549s, the fastest lap across all sessions. Keito continued his upward momentum with 2’06.194s, while Zaqhwan remained consistent in third at 2’06.361s. Lachlan Epis returned to the top-five fight in fourth, ahead of Andi Farid Izdihar, who rounded out the session in fifth.

With all three sessions combined, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah emerged as the undisputed fastest rider of the day, reaffirming his status as the benchmark in the ASB1000 category and signaling strong intent to defend his crown.

Hafizh said, “So far, everything has gone well. As a team, we did a really good job session by session, from FP1 to FP3, showing an amazing pace in the final session of the day. We will now look into our data and see where we can improve further. At the moment, we are very satisfied with our overall performance as a team.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (2’05.549s)
2. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’05.903s)
3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (2’05.972s)
4. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (2’06.194s)
5. ROCCO SESSLER – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (2’06.417s)

The season opener at Sepang International Circuit promises high-octane action, but Keito keeps a grounded, and playful perspective on the season ahead. “Can I imagine how the season will end? Honestly, I can’t imagine at all! Hahaha! But that’s the fun side of the racing. It’s unpredictable. My goal is to improve every race, push hard, and see where we land at the end of the year.”

The entry of Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM into ASB1000 adds another layer of excitement. Keito is full of respect for his fellow Honda rider. “He is a very strong rider, and I really respect him. It will be exciting to see how we push each other. Healthy competition like this makes me sharper, and it’s fun for everyone watching too.”
Off-season preparations have been intense, reflecting Keito’s commitment to growth. “I tried a lot of things. Physical training, riding training, technical work with the team… Really, a lot,” he explains. “The off-season was a chance to discover things about myself, the bike, and how to ride smarter. Every session taught me something new, and I feel more ready than ever to battle at the front.”

With confidence in his team, an upgraded bike, and a renewed mindset, Keito steps into 2026 ready to challenge the top riders of ASB1000. “Every season is a new story. I just want to push myself, enjoy the ride, and leave everything on the track. Hopefully, we can climb higher than last year. But if not, at least I can say I tried everything.”

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has officially revealed its rider line-up for the 2026 season in the ASB1000 category, offering an early glimpse into how Honda plans to approach the new season.

Confirmed under the HRC umbrella are Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND, Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, and Malaysian duo Md Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azroy Hakeem Anuar from IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. All four riders are familiar names in ASB1000, bringing experience, and proven speed into the new season.

However, one major question remains unanswered. The rider seat at ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM is still vacant. Following Andi Farid Izdihar’s emotional farewell after 12 years with the team, the paddock has been buzzing with speculation over who will take over one of the most closely watched seats in the championship.

While fans eagerly await the official announcement, the confirmed HRC ASB1000 riders shared their thoughts on the mystery surrounding the new ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM ASB1000 rider.

Keito Abe did not hide his curiosity, offering a mix of honesty and humour.
“I have a feeling it could be Adenanta. He’s a very fast rider. But after last season, when he narrowly missed the SS600 title, I honestly don’t know what his next move will be. Maybe he wants to secure a championship first,” Keito said with a laugh. “If he really steps into ASB1000, then winning the championship will become even harder for me.”

For Md Zaqhwan Zaidi, the anticipation itself adds excitement to the season ahead.
“I really don’t know who the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM rider will be, but I can’t wait to find out,” he shared. “As soon as I know, I want to go up to him, say hello, and welcome him to the grid. I’m excited to fight together in ASB1000.”

Azroy Hakeem Anuar kept his response playful yet respectful.
“I think I might know who it is, but let’s wait for the official line-up,” he said. “Whoever it is, welcome to ASB1000. I’m looking forward to battling with you on track.”

Nakarin Atiratphuvapat echoed the same sense of anticipation.
“It’s always interesting when a new rider joins the ASB1000 grid,” he said. “I don’t know who he will be, but one thing is certain. The racing will be competitive, and I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”

Riding for JDT RACING TEAM, Hafizh entered the 2025 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship determined to improve on last year’s third-place finish. What the paddock didn’t anticipate was how dramatically he would elevate his game. In just his second season in ASB1000, Hafizh transformed from a strong contender into the benchmark for the category, making his challenge all the more remarkable as the lone Ducati rider in the field.

From the opening round, Hafizh rode with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted. His aggression was calculated, his race pace sharper than ever, and his growth from 2024 was clear to see. Every round, he refined something. Every race became a lesson and opportunity to refine his bike. While others stumbled under pressure, Hafizh kept pushing, kept learning, kept improving.

The Ducati demanded commitment, and Hafizh delivered. On tracks where the odds were against him, he fought his way into the front group. When the setups were not ideal, he salvaged crucial points with maturity. And when opportunities appeared, he struck with the sharpness of a rider who knew he had unfinished business.

From P3 last season to the top step this year, Hafizh didn’t just win a title. He proved how far determination, evolution, and sheer hunger can take a rider.

In the new season, can he do it all over again?

At the drop of the lights, Nakarin stormed off the line with a strong start, immediately setting the pace at the front. He was closely followed by Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM in fourth position. Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM completed the top five early contenders.

By lap three, Nakarin was in full control, setting the fastest lap of 1’35.911s and pulling a one-second gap from the chasing pack. His relentless pace continued as he improved further to 1’35.599s on lap four and 1’35.248s by lap five, gradually extending a commanding two-second lead. Meanwhile, the second group of Hafizh, Zaqhwan, and Keito engaged in a fierce battle for position, exchanging attacks and defending their lines with precision.

Throughout the middle stages of the race, Nakarin maintained his advantage, while Hafizh faced mounting pressure from Zaqhwan and Keito. On lap eleven, Zaqhwan timed his move perfectly to overtake Hafizh and claim second, but the fight for the podium remained intensely competitive.

The final lap saw Nakarin holding a comfortable 2.377s lead as he crossed the finish line to claim a dominant victory in 20’45.446s. Hafizh surged past Zaqhwan to finish second at 20’47.951s, while Zaqhwan secured third place at 20’48.060s, rounding off a thrilling podium.

Despite finishing behind Nakarin in the race, Hafizh’s consistent performance throughout the season ensured he collected enough points to be crowned the 2025 ASB1000 Overall Champion with 193 points, narrowly ahead of Nakarin, who finished the season with 190 points. Keito Abe completed the top three in the championship standings with 170 points.

Nakarin said, “I just tried to go for first position, but left it to the riders behind me to do the fighting. I did my best this season. We almost achieved the championship, but we are happy with the results we delivered. Next season, we will try even harder. I want to thank everyone who supported me, and congratulations to Hafizh.”

Hafizh expressed after clinching the title, “No words can describe how I feel. Alhamdulillah, finally we did it. The hard work, the training, and everything we went through in Round 5 made us stronger to be here today. This win is for my boss, my family, the fans who always believed in me, those who doubted me, and also for my late grandmother. I am sure she is proud of me from up there.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’45.446s)
2. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (20’47.951s)
3. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’48.060s)
4. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (20’48.949s)
5. LACHLAN EPIS – SAVITAR RACING ASIA (21’02.639s)

TOP 5 – OVERALL RIDER STANDINGS
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (193 points)
2. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (190 points)
3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (170 points)
4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (168 points)
5. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (135 points)

TOP 5 – OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS
1. IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (303 points)
2. JDT RACING TEAM (201 points)
3. HONDA RACING THAILAND (182 points)
4. SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (170 points)
5. A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM (133 points)

At the drop of the lights, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA surged to an early lead, but Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND quickly asserted himself at the front, with Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES in third and Hafizh in fifth. Early drama unfolded as Zaqhwan served a long-lap penalty, dropping him to ninth.

By Lap 3, Hafizh began asserting himself, setting the fastest lap 1’35.504s and moving into striking distance of the lead. What followed was a relentless exchange between Hafizh and Nakarin, as the two riders repeatedly overtook each other in a spectacular display of tactical brilliance. Keito remained a steady presence in the top three, while Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Zaqhwan fought to keep pace in the front group.

The race saw continuous position shuffles, with Hafizh exploiting his strength in Sector 2 to time his attacks perfectly. On Lap 12, Hafizh made the decisive move, overtaking both Nakarin and Andi to seize the lead. Nakarin, attempting to reclaim the position, made a costly mistake on the final turn and slipped off the podium. Hafizh crossed the line in 20’51.228s, with Andi securing second at 20’51.425s, and Keito completing the podium at 20’51.993s.

Hafizh said, “I’m very surprised with my rhythm today because we tried many things during yesterday’s sessions, and we still couldn’t improve in the final sector. During the race, I changed my racing line and the hard work paid off. I knew I was strong in Sector 2, so I focused on staying in front of Andi and attacking Nakarin or Andi in that same area. This result is for all Malaysian fans, the team, and for myself, a reward for all the sacrifices during training away from my family.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (20’51.228s)
2. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (20’51.425s)
3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (20’51.993s)
4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’52.974s)
5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’58.280s)

Malaysia’s Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA set the benchmark for the weekend, topping the combined practice results with a fastest lap of 1’35.521s in Practice 3, with a top speed of 298.3 km/h. Zaqhwan’s consistent pace and sharp performance put him in a strong position heading into tomorrow’s Qualifying session.

Close behind, Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND secured second overall with 1’35.545s, while Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM completed the top three at 1’35.636s. Fourth place went to Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM with 1’35.982s, and Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES rounded out the top five with 1’36.025s.

Zaqhwan stated, “Overall, I’m quite happy with the progress today. I think the team did an excellent job, so my focus now is fully on tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1. My goal is, of course, to win the race, and I will give my best effort. From Practice 1 to Practice 3, I’ve consistently been in the top 3, which is encouraging. We are looking forward to a strong performance in tomorrow’s race.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE RESULT
1. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’35.521s)
2. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’35.545s)
3. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’35.636s)
4. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’35.982s)
5. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (1’36.025s)

The contention however is not over with one final round to tick off before the end of the season. With Nakarin holding an advantage on Chang International Circuit, the narratives are bound to get trickier especially with point differences that can be tackled easily by the top four contenders. The Thai lad currently leads the chart with a 4-point advantage from Malaysian, Hafizh and while Keito and Zaqhwan share the same points, the Japanese has a better advantage in securing the victory bid without the long-lap penalty.

The question is, can home-boy, Nakarin maximise his potentials and deflect the heat of rivalry from his closest contenders to not only maintain his current position but also redeem the championship award? The prospects seem near yet far more so with the proven credibility and progressive performance of his rivals. However, compelling in this story is Nakarin’s excellence and endurance on home-ground which has been established in Round 1 with his double-win. Will he be able keep pressure aside, stay focused and emulate the rewarding experience?

Commenting on this, Nakarin said, “Pressure is inevitable. It is always there during the race more so when the competition gets stiffer. But I chose to take it as a motivation. The aim to stay focused throughout the weekend without any other distractions and to keep pushing forward. Apart from that, in any racing, it is equally important to stay consistent, avoid mistakes where possible and give 100% in every race. So, that is what I will keep doing till the end of the season. Of course, there will be some setbacks that has to be managed but that is all part of the game and for the season finale, I am well prepared for it.”

“Both Hafizh and Keito are very strong contenders but at the moment, I am only working on my best performances. Chang circuit is home to me and I know every corner and every bump on the track like the back of my hands. It is a ground that I am accustomed to especially with my riding styles and techniques. It helps me ride is a smooth, fast and precise manner. Every lap here gives me the confidence that I need. Of course, I also have some challenges too like heat and tyre management. Everyone’s fast here so staying strong till the last lap will make a whole load of difference. The championship title is the goal but racing in ASB1000 itself is already rewarding. Competing with the top riders in Asia has not only helped me grow but shaped me to become a better rider. Next season, no plans at the moment but I want to finish this season strong first then await the opportunities that come next.”