Local Fans Eye Sepang Podium For Moto3 Rider Hakim Danish At Malaysian MotoGP

SEPANG, Oct 29  – Thousands of Malaysian motoring enthusiasts are rallying behind national Moto3 rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli, hoping to see him secure a podium finish in his debut appearance on home soil at the 2026 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend.

Speaking at a pre-race press conference at SIC on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Sepang International Circuit Chief Executive Officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif expressed full confidence in the Terengganu-born rider’s potential while advising him to manage the pressure of local expectations carefully.

Azhan Shafriman emphasized that thorough preparation, tactical race strategy, and mental strength will be essential for the 19-year-old rider to navigate the intense international field following fluctuations in his mid-season performance.

“Everyone’s hope is for him to reach at least the podium. However, we must consider his preparation, race strategy, and mental strength specifically how he can position himself at the front,” Azhan Shafriman stated, adding that Saturday’s qualifying session will heavily dictate Hakim Danish’s race prospects.

He encouraged the young rider to remain focused on executing a solid performance rather than becoming overwhelmed by podium demands, reassuring him that local supporters would be proud regardless of Sunday’s final result.

Riding for AEON Credit-MT Helmets-MSi, Hakim Danish made history earlier in the season by securing third place at the Italian GP in June and claiming a breakthrough victory at the Czech Republic GP during his rookie Moto3 World Championship campaign.

Heading into the Sepang fixture, Hakim Danish sits ninth in the 2026 Moto3 World Championship standings with 103 points, behind championship leader Maximo Quiles of Spain (351 points). The 2026 Malaysian MotoGP runs from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, with organizers targeting a total three-day attendance of 200,000 spectators.

Moto3 Debut Record, Championship Standings, and Sepang Event Targets

Key rider achievements, current standings, and event attendance targets include:

• Season Performance & Wins: Hakim Danish secured a historic third-place finish at the Italian GP in June 2026 and claimed a Moto3 race victory at the Czech Republic GP during his debut World Championship season.
• Championship Points Standing: Occupies 9th place in the 2026 Moto3 drivers’ standings with 103 points; Spain’s Maximo Quiles leads the championship with 351 points.
• Team & Machine: Competes for the AEON Credit-MT Helmets-MSi racing team.
• Sepang Attendance Target: SIC organizers target an aggregate total of 200,000 spectators over the three-day race event running from October 30 to November 1, 2026.

–NMT