08 November 2010, BY Sepang International Circuit
SEPANG, Nov. 7, 2010: Malaysian 125cc MotoGP rider, Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin ends his 2010 debut year in Valencia at the 20th position. Sepang International Circuit chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali who is in Valencia to show his support for the team remarked that the 18-year old rider was lucky to have finished in the top 20.
“He made a mistake in the first lap that saw him moved back to the tail end. However, a final position of 20 is still respectable in a very competitive race which saw many wild cards from the renowned Spanish CEV. It is still a good result to cap-off a rather over-expected first season for Zulfahmi.”
Ranked at number 24 in the 125cc world motorcycle championship, the young rider had displayed a strong willpower and determination throughout his debut season in the championship.
The Team Air Asia-Sepang International Circuit rider made his debut in the world motorcycle championship in Qatar and has since travelled across the globe, battling in the MotoGP races from the wind-swept Netherlands to Japan.
Though the odds were against him; having had no racing experience on the international stage prior to the 2010 season, Zulfahmi managed to score some points in the championship.
He scored a point each at Catalunya Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, Czech Republic’s Grand Prix and recently collected another point at the Portugal Grand Prix.
“He has performed well with scoring four world championship points, considering his lack of 125cc competitive experience compared to his peers,” said Razlan, adding that Zulfahmi must now capitalise on his year long experience and shift his focus to next year.
He also said that plans to finalise the new team for 2011 are currently being made, all with a stronger objective of being in the points next year.
“Zulfahmi’s participation and the creation of the Air Asia-Sepang International Circuit team has generated a lot of interest and following in Malaysia, and he had garnered some attention in the MotoGP as the new kid on the block.
“This is extremely good for Malaysia motorsport in which young aspiring riders will have someone and something for them to look forward to in being in the world championship.”
He said having Malaysian riders in the world championship has an obvious impact among Malaysians, with record crowds present at last year’s MotoGP and this year’s Malaysian MotoGP.
“I foresee that the support will remain and increase in the following years as long as our riders are there and perform respectfully,” he said.
AirAsia Group CEO Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes said, "This time last year we started thinking and preparing for Fahmi to enter the World Championship. We knew we wanted to be there with him to not only make his own dream possible, but to take Malaysia to another level in Motor sports and sport as a whole on a global level.”
He said Fahmi has shown true determination and drive for his passion from the start.
“It cannot have been an easy journey for him, but he showed us all a little bit of what he's made of.
It has been great to see how the country has supported him throughout. We believe he still has more to give, and are excited about seeing what next year will show,” said Fernandes.
“Despite the challenges and the ups and downs, with 4 championship points under his belt in his first year, it can only mean there is more to come. For now, he has time to reflect on his first year, and realize his own goals for next year.
“Focus and determination is key, and we have no doubt that he is capable of that and more, to truly show what he and Malaysia is made of. We're proud to see him racing under the AirAsia-Sepang International Circuit banner, and can't wait to see what 2011 will bring.”
Here are the statistics for 2010:
ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN
Qatar Grand Prix - No 21 Timing 39’47.642
Jerez Grand Prix – No 20 Timing 43‘27.671
Grand Prix de France – No 25 Timing (1 Lap)
Italian Grand Prix - No 21 Timing 41’12.698
British Grand Prix – Not Classified
Dutch Grand Prix – No 22 Timing 39’29.604
Catalunya Grand Prix – No 15 Timing 42‘02.344 (1 point)
German Grand Prix – No 15 Timing (1 Lap) (1 Point)
Czech Republic Grand Prix – No 15 (1 point)
Indianapolis Grand Prix – Not Classified
San Marino Grand Prix – Not Classified
Aragon Grand Prix- No 16 Timing 39’32.937
Japan Grand Prix – No 19 Timing 41‘11.952
Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix – No 16 Timing 41‘27.616
Australian Grand Prix – DNQ
Portugal Grand Prix – No 15 (1 Point) Timing Race 1- 11‘58.398, Race 2- 17’43.311
Valencia Grand Prix- No 20 (1 Lap)
Latest News