Zarco and Syahrin thrilled to commence 2018 this weekend in Qatar
The Monster Yamaha Tech3 duo eagerly awaits the Qatar Grand Prix, which will ring in the upcoming 2018 MotoGP season.
Full of motivation Johann Zarco aims to transfer his faultless results at the recent test at the Losail International Circuit into a superb opening race. In the meantime, Hafizh Syahrin, who performed impressively during his first six days aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1, is focused on delivering an extraordinary first ever premier class round.
The action will begin with the first Free Practice at 14:45 local time on Friday the 16th of March, while the highly anticipated race takes place at 19:00 on Sunday.
Johann Zarco
“The season is about to start and I’m pretty happy for that. The last test in Qatar has been great, finishing with the best lap time gave the team and myself a very high motivation and good confidence. We know, we still have things to work on to be able to fight for the victory. But I can start the first race weekend of the year with the wish to fight for the win and I’m pretty happy to have this feeling already before the first competition. I want to keep enjoying! Let’s see what the race weekend in Qatar has to give to us.”
Hafizh Syahrin
“I’m so happy that I will ride the full season in MotoGP and I’m looking forward to the first round in Qatar. I will try to do my best for the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team and all of my fans, who support me tirelessly. I’m ready to arrive at the opening weekend at 100 percent, because I was training really much. I’m very encouraged by the team work we did during the test in Losail. I hope the hard work pays off from the first Free Practice this week.”
Hervé PONCHARAL
Team Manager
“Finally, testing is over and we can start racing now. As Monster Yamaha Tech3, I believe we are ready, we’ve done a very determined and positive job in preparation and Johann feels more than ready to start the season with a very strong feeling, thanks to the great feedback he has found riding his new bike, especially during the last two tests in Thailand and Qatar. He has shown the world, that he’s a part of the top 5 MotoGP riders and his intention is to start the 2018 season where he left off in 2017. On the other side of the garage, clearly, it’s been an incredible mission, tough but very exciting to find a replacement rider for Jonas Folger, who unfortunately decided to skip 2018. I have to say, that sometimes bad luck or struggles emerge to a very interesting situation, which is exactly what is happening now. We are more than happy to have Hafizh Syahrin with us. He’s a very talented young rider and a charming guy, plus I believe he has already, but hopefully he will again surprise quite a few people in our paddock. So, I’d like to really warmly welcome him to the Monster Yamaha Tech3 family and wish him the best for this so important season for his future. All together with Johann Zarco on top of his art and Hafizh Syahrin eager to show his potential, we are going to start FP1 in Losail, Qatar with a big smile on our faces and with a lot of hopes and dreams for the 2018 season. Let the show begin!”