SEPANG: Former MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah has urged Hakim Danish Ramli to keep his emotions in check and aim for a top-five finish at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, with a podium considered a bonus.
Hafizh believes the youngster has shown encouraging pace at Sepang International Circuit, but must avoid letting the pressure to deliver in front of his home supporters affect his riding.
Danish, riding for AEON Credit-MT Helmets-MSi, backed up that assessment by finishing fifth in Friday morning’s opening free practice with a time of 2 minutes 11.834 seconds, just 0.249sec behind Spain’s Alvaro Carpe.
He improved to fourth in the afternoon’s Practice session, clocking 2:11.573 to finish 0.146sec behind Spain’s David Almansa and secure direct entry into Saturday’s Q2 session.
“As a rider, my advice is to stay calm and not think too much about the pressure. He knows what he needs to do on the bike,” said Hafizh.
“Last year, he was in the leading group but unfortunately suffered a technical issue and could not finish.
“This year, he has looked strong in practice, so I hope he can finish in the top five. A podium would, of course, be a bonus.”
Hafizh, Malaysia’s first MotoGP rider, competed for Monster Yamaha Tech3 in 2018 before continuing with the outfit as Red Bull KTM Tech3 in 2019.
He now races for JDT Racing Team in the Asia Road Racing Championship’s ASB1000 class.
The experienced rider believes Danish’s familiarity with Sepang could prove valuable as he contests his first home Grand Prix as a full-season Moto3 rider.
He credited the training opportunities provided through manager Zulfahmi Khairuddin and SIC with helping Danish understand where he can push and where caution is required.
“As far as I know, Zulfahmi has given him very good exposure through his training schedule, with SIC also supporting him,” said Hafizh.
“He has an advantage in terms of mileage at his home track. He knows Sepang’s characteristics, where he can attempt an overtake and which corners he cannot push beyond the limit.”
Hafizh also understands how the home crowd can lift a rider, having experienced that motivation throughout his own Grand Prix career.
“I always looked forward to my home Grand Prix because the motivation felt doubled or tripled,” he said.
“Even when I was struggling or lacked confidence in the bike, it automatically pushed me to give my best.”
Danish will seek to convert his promising practice pace into a strong grid position on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s race.