A1 Energy BMW Racing Team has officially announced its withdrawal from Round 6 of the Asia Road Racing Championship 2025, scheduled to take place at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, from December 4–6, 2025.
The decision marks a difficult chapter for the newly established team, which only made its competitive debut this season and has faced a turbulent inaugural year.
Formed in early 2025, A1 Energy BMW Racing Team entered the ASB1000 category — the premier class of the ARRC — with two high-profile riders: Malaysia’s Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, the 41-year-old former Moto2 rider and multiple ARRC race winner, alongside Thailand’s Apiwat Wongthananon, the 2024 SS600 Champion making his step up to the premier class.
Despite the team’s strong lineup and technical backing from BMW, results have been inconsistent. Azlan’s victory in Race 2 at the Indonesian round remains the team’s only triumph this season. Meanwhile, Apiwat struggled to find form in his rookie year in the ASB1000 category, finishing most races outside the top five.
In total, Azlan Shah has collected 96 points, while Apiwat has managed 37 points, effectively ending both riders’ hopes of contending for the 2025 title ahead of the final round.
The team’s challenges were compounded during Round 5 at Sepang, where A1 Energy BMW Racing Team withdrew from both races due to a critical electrical system failure. The team later attributed the issue to non-standard battery charging equipment, which rendered their race bikes inoperable.
Those back-to-back withdrawals not only cost valuable points but also raised financial and logistical concerns within the camp — ultimately influencing the team’s decision to skip the Buriram round.
In an official statement released on Friday, A1 Energy BMW Racing Team expressed deep regret over their decision while reaffirming their determination to return stronger next season.
“To our fans, fellow competitors and the motorsport fraternity
It is with frustration and regret that we must inform our fans that we will not be competing in ARRC round 6 in Buriram.
We are doing our best to keep the team alive for 2026 and we ask our fans to keep supporting us. Your supports are valuable to us and will fuel our desire to keep fighting in this championship.
Thank you for your valuable and continued support.
The team’s withdrawal means both Azlan Shah and Apiwat Wongthananon will conclude their 2025 ARRC campaign with five completed rounds. Their immediate focus now shifts toward restructuring and securing sponsorships to sustain operations into the 2026 season.
For Azlan, one of Malaysia’s most decorated riders, the decision underscores the difficulties faced by privateer outfits in the evolving ASB1000 field — where budgets, reliability, and manufacturer support often determine competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Buriram finale will go on without the participation of one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting new teams, leaving fans hopeful that A1 Energy BMW Racing Team can regroup and return to the grid next year.
Credit Photo : A1 Energy BMW Racing Team
