Malaysian wildcard Khairul Idham Pawi, representing PETRONAS MIE Racing Team, has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Moto2 race at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia following an injury sustained during the Q1 qualifying session.
Khairul, known affectionately as “Super KIP,” suffered a fractured hand and possible leg injury after an unfortunate incident with fellow wildcard rider Helmi Azman at Turn 8 of the Sepang International Circuit.
The qualifying session unfolded in challenging weather, with the track damp under cloudy skies. Helmi Azman lost control of his machine, causing a collision with Khairul, who was close behind. Marshals quickly intervened, and both riders were transported to the circuit’s medical center for assessment.
PETRONAS MIE Racing RW Team Manager Razmin Masli Abdul Razak confirmed that Khairul’s hand injury was evident from the X-ray results, while further CT scans are needed to confirm the extent of his leg injury. Razmin shared his hopes for Helmi Azman’s recovery, stating, “Helmi has nothing serious, just a minor injury. Hopefully, he can continue tomorrow as planned.”
Despite the setback, team owner Midori Moriwaki expressed her satisfaction with the progress shown by both riders. “The Moto2 machinery and riding style is very challenging, but they’ve taken on these hurdles and improved throughout each session,” Moriwaki noted, adding her appreciation for the riders’ increasing lap times as a sign of their talent.
Helmi will start Sunday’s race from 29th position, representing Malaysia in front of his home crowd. The PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia promises excitement and support for local talents, even as the Malaysian fans rally behind Khairul in his recovery.
Credit Photo : PETRONAS MIE Racing Team
