The Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP team has confirmed Hafizh Syahrin will replace Jonas Folger for the entirety of the 2018 season.
Syahrin emerged as favourite to take the seat vacated by the German – who pulled out of the season to recover from illness – following the Sepang test, with the Malaysian announcing he had split with the Petronas Sprinta team he was due to ride for in Moto2 this year.
The triple Moto2 podium finisher was confirmed for the Thailand test, and despite ending it 1.7 seconds off the pace in 22nd overall, team boss Herve Poncheral admitted he still had to “convince his partners” that Syahrin was the best option.
“I'm incredibly delighted after receiving the good news that I will ride with Monster Yamaha Tech3 in 2018,” said Syahrin, who will become the first Malaysian rider to compete in the premier class.
“Following three very interesting and great days of testing in Buriram, where I learned a lot, I want to thank my crew again.
“In just a short time, I really learned to fully control a MotoGP bike, which is still unbelievable for me. I’ll try to do my best and will give all I have this year.
“I want to thank Hervé, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Monster and the entire Tech3 team to believe in me and giving me this fantastic opportunity to compete full season in MotoGP.
“Thank you to my family, that always supported me to make this dream come true, especially my father, plus thanks to my fans and of course to Razlan [Razali, SIC Chief Executive].
“I’m looking forward to test again in Qatar and I’ll be even more motivated. Honestly, I can’t wait for the season to start. I’m just overwhelmed!”
Poncheral added: “I'm really happy to announce that Hafizh Syahrin will be the second Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider alongside Johann Zarco.
“It's been tough since we heard from Jonas Folger that unfortunately he decided not to race in 2018 in order to look after his health and fully recover.
“It has been a long process to find somebody who could be the one. In Sepang I met Razlan Razali, we were just chatting and now and then you have crazy ideas, which are sometimes the ones that bring the best result.
“We had to convince all the people around us that Hafizh is going to be a good MotoGP rider. Therefore we had to give him a tough task during the three days of testing in Buriram.
“In the end, he did a tremendous job, he fulfilled the mission. Yamaha was more than happy with his performance and the whole Tech3 team was delighted.”
Syahrin will be the fifth rookie on the '18 grid, alongside reigning Moto2 champion Franco Morbidelli, Tom Luthi, Takaaki Nakagami and Xavier Simeon.
