Petronas MIE Honda Racing Team

Azroy Hakeem Anuar #20

“Overall, I’m quite happy because we improved on our lap times session by session. We also did a good job in the race, fighting with some more experienced riders over the first laps. As the race went on, I found I had to slow my pace a little due to a technical issue, but I was able to continue battling with my teammate and finish the race. I enjoyed the experience this weekend and want to say a big thank you to PETRONAS.”

Muhammad Helmi Azman #55

“First of all, I want to say thanks so much to PETRONAS for giving me this opportunity. Overall, I’m pleased with my performance over the weekend. As for the race, I tried to stick with the group and maintain a consistent pace. With little mileage on the bike, it would have been hard for me to do more. We finished the race, and I improved on my pace and lap times with respect to the 2024 race. So, a big thanks to the sponsors and everyone that helped to make this possible.”

The PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team completes Sunday’s Moto2 race in Malaysia in twenty-third and twenty-fourth position with Azman and Anuar.

On track at Sepang for the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia, the PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team has crossed the line twenty-third and twenty-fourth with wildcard riders Muhammad Helmi Azman ( #55) and Azroy Hakeem Anuar ( #20) in Sunday’s Moto2 race.

The race was rescheduled following a serious incident in the previous Moto3 race. Ultimately starting at 15.30 local time, today’s Moto2 race was characterised by the high temperatures and humidity typical of this Malaysian championship round (air 34°C, track 52°C).

From row ten of the grid, Anuar and Azman made a good start when the lights went out. The PETRONAS MIE Racing RW riders gained several positions in the initial stages, but the race was red flagged on lap two following an incident for another rider.

The race was restarted a short time later, shortened to 11 laps and with riders lining up in their original grid positions. Azman held his starting positions over the first couple of laps, while Anuar again got away well, gaining three positions to move up into twenty-fourth. Slipping a little over subsequent laps, Anuar was passed by teammate Azman on lap three. Exchanging places on the following lap and gaining one position each, the duo was lying P25 and P26 by lap five.

Over the course of what was essentially an 11-lap sprint race, the home riders worked hard to maintain a consistent pace. Continuing to battle each other and exchange places throughout the race, the two PETRONAS MIE Racing RW riders moved up another two positions in the latter stages, with Azman ultimately crossing the line twenty-third and Anuar twenty-fourth.

Competing as a wildcard entry, the PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team and home riders Azroy Hakeem Anuar ( #20) and Muhammad Helmi Azman ( #55) took to the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on Saturday for Moto2 qualifying.

Earlier in the day, Anuar and Azman benefitted from a final practice, which ran in dry, cloudy conditions. This 30-minute phase provided a final opportunity to make technical modifications to setup ahead of qualifying. Both riders ran a strong session and, with respect to their respective best of Friday, were able to find more than one full second each, with Anuar putting in a 2’06.806 and Azman setting an almost identical 2’06.866.

At 13.40 local time (CET+6), it was time for the all-important qualifying session, which was again characterised by high temperatures and humidity. Working hard to maximise this 15-minute stage, the two PETRONAS MIE Racing RW riders did their best to set a strong qualifying time in this highly competitive class but were not quite able to replicate their practice times. Each completed their fastest lap in the final seconds, with Anuar recording a 2’07.187 and Azman a 2’08.330. These results mean that the two local riders have qualified on row ten of the grid, in twenty-ninth and thirtieth position respectively, for the race.

The PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team now turns its attention to Sunday’s race, which will get underway at 13.15 local time (CET+6) and run over a distance of 17 laps.

The PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team is competing as a wildcard entry in the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, fielding Malaysian talents Azroy Hakeem Anuar ( #20) and Muhammad Helmi Azman ( #55) in the Moto2 class.

The weekend’s action at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit began on Friday morning with a first free practice, which ran in typically hot and humid conditions. The two riders wasted no time in setting to work, keen to maximise every session as they get ready for the weekend’s race. During this first 40-minute phase, the team saw some initial progress as the riders began to rebuild confidence and feeling with their Kalex machines. Completing 14 and 15 laps respectively, Anuar placed twenty-ninth with a time of 2’08.023, while Azman followed right behind in thirtieth position (2’08.933).

Temperatures picked up for the afternoon’s second session (air temp. 30°C/track temp. 36°C), delayed by 40 minutes after an issue in the previous Moto3 session. Once on track, Anuar and Azman continued to work with their technicians to prepare for Sunday’s race, making small adjustments to the technical setup of their bikes.

Unfortunately, Anuar immediately suffered a crash which, although innocuous, caused him to lose valuable track time. Back out with roughly 20 minutes still on the clock, the local rider did his best in the time remaining. Improving by a fraction of a second on his earlier performance, despite the higher temperatures, the Malaysian again rounded out the session twenty-ninth (2’07.953). By the end of this first day on track at Sepang, teammate Azman held thirtieth position, having shaved off a good six tenths with respect to the morning (2’08.279).

The team will return to the track on Saturday for a final practice followed by qualifying in the afternoon, at 13.40 local time (CET+6).

Everything is in place for our riders to have a fantastic weekend! We can’t wait for free practice on Friday.

Syarifuddin Azman #63

“Firstly, a big thanks to the whole team for all their hard work this season. As for today’s race, it was another tough one unfortunately, in which I struggled with the bike. It’s a pity we couldn’t do more here, but overall, I’m pleased with the work we’ve done together and with what we’ve achieved this year. See you again next year, hopefully!”

Kaito Toba #27

“In morning warm up we made a step forward with my lap time. The bike felt okay overall, and I still had some margin to push harder. In the race, I made a decent start, but by the time I got to the end of the first lap I had lost some of the ground I’d gained off the line. The chassis performance was solid, which meant I could make up time through the mixed sections. I did my best to maintain consistent pace and eventually crossed the line inside the points zone. I’d like to thank Midori-san and the rest of the team for this year. It wasn’t an easy season, but I tried my best every weekend. Thanks also to everyone that supports me and believes in me.”

Zaqhwan Zaidi #21

“I tried to enjoy the last race of this SBK season. During my rookie year, I’ve tried to push as hard as possible and do my very best each weekend, always giving 100%. At this level it’s not easy but I feel we’ve worked well together as a team and there has been progress, for sure. I’m very grateful for the team; they’ve worked really hard all season. All I can say is a big thank you to the team for this opportunity; I hope we might have the chance to work together again in the future.”

Tito Rabat #53

“It’s been a challenging weekend, but we’ve worked hard, pushed and finished this last race 33 seconds from the front. Generally speaking, I think we’ve worked 100% with the package we have. I think we’ve reached quite a good level and improved the bike, considering that I only joined the team for the final rounds. Let’s see what the future brings.”