Tech3 boss Herve Poncheral says none of Tech3's sponsors or suppliers had heard of Hafizh Syahrin prior to his signing as Jonas Folger's replacement for the 2018 MotoGP season.
Triple Moto2 podium finisher Syahrin was brought in to replace Folger after the German announced his withdrawal from the championship due to illness at the beginning of the year.
Tech3 was left with few options, with the team running current Pedercini World Superbike rider Yonny Hernandez at the Sepang test, before confirming Syahrin following the second test of the year in Thailand.
Poncehral admits his idea to sign Syharin was met with scepticism, but was determined to prove the Malaysian was the correct rider for the job after a '17 Moto2 campaign which showed “potential”.
“I met Ahmad Razali, the CEO of Sepang, and talking to him I had a crazy idea,” Poncheral told motogp.com.
“I asked him: what about Syahrin in MotoGP? He thought I was joking.
“The sponsors and suppliers were asking me who I was talking about, they'd never heard of him. From then on I had to convince everyone that he was a good rider.
“And I would have continued even if there had been more resistance. We're here to enjoy ourselves.
“No I'm really happy. I'm not saying he's going to be the fastest, but he's doing well. I like choosing a rider who isn't very well known, but we saw last year he has some spark.
“Last year, when I was following Xavi Vierge [former Tech3 Moto2 rider], and I saw him fighting with him, I saw there was potential with Syahrin.
“With human support and a good bike, I had to try. I don't like making the obvious choice.”
Syharin put his satellite Yamaha 15th on the grid for his debut in Qatar, and secured 14th in the race despite some trouble in selecting the correct electronics setting in a bid to conserve tyre life.
“After a few laps before finish, I tried to change my electronics,” he said.
“But I think I reduced a little bit the acceleration because I want to save a little bit the tyre. But this is part of my learning, to understand the electronics.
“In the end, with three [laps] from the end, I changed back my electronics to the same power as the beginning of the race.
“I understand the situation now, and I bring two points for my team and for my fans. I'm really happy.”
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