HAFIZH STOOD OUT AT MOTEGI
Round 3 of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was held today at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, where Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM delivered a commanding performance to top the ASB1000 combined practice standings.
Hafizh set the tone in Practice 1, blazing through with a 1’50.838s lap. Japanese wild card Sho Nishimura of JAPAN POSTHonda Racing impressed with 1’51.270s, while Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA posted a 1’51.609s to slot into third.
Practice 2 brought challenges as rain left the track damp but drying. In the mixed conditions, Lachlan Epis rose to the occasion, leading the session with a 2’01.765s. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND recorded 2’02.013s for second, with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM placing third at 2’02.991s.
In the final session, Hafizh once again showcased his pace, clocking 1’50.913s to remain on top. Apiwath Wongthananon of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM surged to second with a 1’50.989s, and Zaqhwan stayed consistent with a 1’51.042s.
Thanks to his speed and control in both dry and mixed conditions, Hafizh emerged as the day’s fastest overall. Apiwath and Zaqhwan completed the top three, promising a thrilling showdown in tomorrow’s qualifying.
Hafizh commented, “Thankfully, I was the fastest in Practice 1 and Practice 3. In Practice 2, the weather was drizzling, so we chose not to go out and take unnecessary risks. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with how the team has worked since Day 1. Of course, we’re not perfect yet—there are still a few sectors where we can improve. I believe tomorrow will bring new opportunities, hopefully with good weather. I’ll aim for a strong qualifying result and be fully prepared for the race.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
- Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah – JDT RACING TEAM (1’50.838s)
- Apiwath Wongthananon – A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM (1’50.989s)
- Muhammad Zaqhwn Zaidi – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’51.042s)
- Motoharu Ito – MOTO BUM HONDA (1’51.053s)
- Sho Nishimura – JAPAN POSTHonda Racing (1’51.110s)