Latest news with #MuhammadHakimDanish
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Who is Hakim Danish, the 17-year-old Terengganu boy making waves in MotoGP racing?
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Malaysia's motorcycle racing scene has a new star: 17-year-old Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli. Early Sunday morning in Aragon, Spain, the young rider delivered a nail-biting performance in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, clinching first place and etching his name in motorcycle racing history as the first Malaysian to do so in a race within the prestigious tournament. Since then, both local and international media have raved about his performance, with many now tipping Hakim to become the first Malaysian ever to win the Rookies Cup. What is the Red Bull Rookies Cup and why it matters The Red Bull Rookies Cup acts as a key feeder series for the Moto3 world championship, the third tier of the Moto Grand Prix. The class was founded in 2007 and since then, has produced world champions in all three categories: 2024 MotoGP champion, Jorge Martín, was from the class of 2014; Moto2 world champion, Ai Ogura, was from the class of 2017; and Moto3 world champion, David Alonso, was from the class of 2021. For eight of the last 10 seasons, the Moto3 World Champion has been an ex-Rookie, a testament to the European-based tournament's effectiveness in nurturing talent. Who is Hakim Danish? Seventeen-year-old Hakim comes from a humble background. Born in Kuala Surau Panjang, Terengganu, in July 2007, Hakim is the second of three siblings. His father, the sole breadwinner, is a mechanic. In an interview with Red Bull's media team, Hakim said his interest in motor racing started as early as eight years old, sparked by riding his father's minibike, which eventually became the starting point of a life as a motorcycle racer. Beginning with minibike racing, Hakim was scouted and picked to join ZK Racing, which oversees Sepang International Circuit's two-wheel talent development programme, New Straits Times reported. He gained a reputation in the 2022 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, where the championship was decided in a final race showdown between Hakim and Shinya Ezawa in Race 2 at the Mandalika circuit. Hakim claimed a second-place finish and made history as the first Malaysian to secure the Asia Talent Cup championship. Why was Hakim's Aragon triumph important? Malaysia has produced some talented two-wheel racers in the last three decades, but none have been as promising as Hakim, who finished second in all his first five races of the cup's season before clinching Sunday's win with style. Hakim made a daring attack on the final lap to overtake series favourite, 16-year-old Spaniard Brian Uriarte, securing Malaysia's first ever first-place finish in what commentators described as a tantalising race. While there are still eight races to go, Hakim now tops the tournament with 125 points total, ahead of second-placed Uriarte's 95 points. Given he has secured six podium finishes halfway into the season, pundits believe the Terengganu boy has a solid chance to win this year's Rookie Cup. Winning the cup could open up far greater opportunities beyond a spot in the Moto3 championship — interest from top competing teams with the financial resources to hone and elevate Hakim's skills. And after years of frustration for Malaysian motorcycle racing fans, there is genuine optimism that this 17-year-old boy from Terengganu could finally be the country's first ever podium-class rider.
Malay Mail
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
‘Yes, finally we get a P1': Muhammad Hakim Danish celebrates first MotoGP Rookies Cup win of season in Aragon
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The country's rising star in motorsport, Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli, repeated his achievement from last season by winning the second race of the third round in the MotoGP Rookies Cup at MotorLand Aragon, Spain yesterday. Adding to the cheers, this victory was his first win of the season and his second podium finish in the third round, after coming in second in the first race yesterday. In yesterday's second race, the 17-year-old rider, who started from seventh position, successfully overtook his opponents one by one and continued to show excellent riding skills in the last two laps to win the race with a time of 26 minutes 52.773 seconds (s). Spanish rider, Brian Uriarte, had to settle for second place, only 0.188 seconds (s) behind, while his compatriot David Gonzalez secured third place with a time of 26 minutes 52.968s. 'Yes, finally we get a P1. The race was fantastic for today and the race was quite difficult. The tyre dropped a lot but I could manage it. 'I would like to say thank my sponsors and my family and all my friends who supported me. And 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha' to all Malaysians,' he said immediately after the race. The victory achieved by Hakim Danish sees the Terengganu-born youngster extend his lead with 125 points, holding a 30-point advantage over Uriarte in second place. The next race will take place in Mugello, Italy on June 21 and 22. — Bernama
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MotoGP Rookies Cup RD3: Hakim Danish bent on repeating 2024 success
YOUNG national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli is determined to show his mettle when he takes part in the third round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup competition at MotorLand Aragon in Spain this weekend. According to Muhammad Hakim Danish, he regards the circuit as iconic since he won the second race of the same race last season. In fact, he said, he also wants to make up for his disappointment after failing to get a podium finish in both races of the second round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship at the Jerez Circuit ast week. 'After finishing the second round of the FIM JuniorGP race in Jerez, I went straight to Barcelona to undergo training and prepare for the MotoGP race of the Rookies Cup this week. 'There are many facets I need to improve on from last week's race, especially in the qualifying session. However, I feel confident to race at the Aragon circuit and hope that all fans and family can pray for my success,' he said in a statement today. For the record, Muhammad Hakim Danish is currently leading the overall MotoGP Rookies Cup standings with 80 points, ahead of Spanish rider Benat Fernandez in second place with a difference of 23 points. Another main contender, Brian Uriarte who is also from Spain, is in third place 30 points behind.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MotoGP Rookies Cup RD3: Hakim Danish bent on repeating 2024 success at MotorLand
YOUNG national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli is determined to show his mettle when he takes part in the third round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup competition at MotorLand Aragon in Spain this weekend. According to Muhammad Hakim Danish, he regards the circuit as iconic since he won the second race of the same race last season. In fact, he said, he also wants to make up for his disappointment after failing to get a podium finish in both races of the second round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship at the Jerez Circuit ast week. 'After finishing the second round of the FIM JuniorGP race in Jerez, I went straight to Barcelona to undergo training and prepare for the MotoGP race of the Rookies Cup this week. 'There are many facets I need to improve on from last week's race, especially in the qualifying session. However, I feel confident to race at the Aragon circuit and hope that all fans and family can pray for my success,' he said in a statement today. For the record, Muhammad Hakim Danish is currently leading the overall MotoGP Rookies Cup standings with 80 points, ahead of Spanish rider Benat Fernandez in second place with a difference of 23 points. Another main contender, Brian Uriarte who is also from Spain, is in third place 30 points behind.
Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Malaysian teen racer Hakim Danish eyes glory at Le Mans after double podium start in Spain
KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Local motorsports sensation Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli will be gunning for his first title this season in the second round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup at Le Mans Circuit in France this weekend. The 17-year-old is set to use the historic circuit to show his capabilities and determination in making his dreams come true at the global stage following his double podium win at the first round at Jerez Circuit in Spain last month, ZK Racing said in a statement today. 'The year 2025 is an important time in Hakim Danish's career with a high target from Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Racing, led by Zulfahmi Khairuddin. 'His performance in the Junior GP World Championship and MotoGP Rookies Cup will play a big role in determining his future, including a potential wildcard to the MalaysianGP this October,' the team said. Hakim Danish started off the 2025 season well when he finished second in race 1 and 2 of the Rookies Cup first round at Jerez Circuit. He then continued his winning ways at Estoril Circuit in Portugal by finishing second in the opening JuniorGP race. — Bernama
