The first ever MotoGP race in Thailand, at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, was a special moment for Hafizh Syahrin. Not only because the Malaysian rider was racing close to his home country and fans, but because in this race Syahrin finished as the top rookie, crossing the line in 12 position.
After a worse moment for the Monster Tech3 Yamaha team, where not only the Yamaha prototype showed lack of performance against other bikes, but also the Malaysian star felt uncomfortable and unable to get the results he got in the first half of the 2018 season, at Buriram, Syahrin showed a great race pace and as a result he made up some important points against his main rival in the fight for the honor of becoming the Top Rookie in MotoGP.
Hafizh Syahrin is now only five points behind Franco Morbidelli, and with four races left until the end of the season, this result might lead Syahrin to become the best MotoGP rookie of 2018.