Hafizh Syahrin will remain with the Tech 3 outfit for 2019, staying with the French squad as they switch to KTM machinery next year.
The Malaysian was called up to the Tech 3 team to ride one of their satellite M1 Yamaha’s at very short notice after Jonas Folger, who was contracted for 2018, was forced to take a sabbatical from MotoGP due to illness.
Despite missing the first pre-season test at Sepang, Syahrin impressed the Herve Poncharal-run squad enough to secure the second seat alongside Johann Zarco for the remainder of 2018.
Syahrin has put in an impressive performance despite his inexperience, scoring points on his debut in Qatar with a 14th place finish, before scoring a superb ninth in just his second race in Argentina.
“It’s hard for me to say and to believe,” said Syahrin. “First of all, I have to say thank you very much to Hervé for trusting in me and giving me this opportunity to stay with the Tech3 family and at the same time to join the KTM family.
“I’m incredibly happy to get this chance, I even feel close to cry for joy. Thanks to everybody and especially to Hervé and Dato’ Razlan for always believing in me.”
Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 team manager, said: “Today is a very special day for me and for the whole Tech3 team! Since Hafizh jumped on our MotoGP bike. I know it was a great achievement for a Malaysian rider to be the first one of his country arriving in the MotoGP class.”
“I think we got the best rider, we could have picked for our 2019 line-up and I’m quite sure that Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin will be a strong package of new talented and ambitious riders. Tonight, we are a happy team, because everything is clear and decided, so welcome for another year, Hafizh!”
