KUALA LUMPUR: After much speculation in recent weeks, team Petronas Raceline Malaysia has confirmed that it is ending its decade-long partnership with Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah.
Raceline announced that Hafizh will not be racing with the team next year.
Hafizh has been a full season rider in Moto2 with Raceline since 2014, but has been racing for them in various championships since 2007.
Raceline team owner Barry Leong discovered Hafizh during his pocket bike days and gave him his debut in the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.
Hafizh then moved up to race in the Asia Road Racing Championships, Australian Formula Extreme Championships and FIM CEV Championships before making it to Moto2.
Barry said the two parties have ended their working relationship on good terms.
"It has been a wonderful journey, seeing Hafizh progress throughout his career from racing in Cub Prix, then moving up the different classes," said Barry in a statement released by the team today.
"It truly has been an honour and a privilege for us as a team to have grown together with Hafizh. I have known and guided him since he was 12 years old, racing as a very talented boy, and now, a passionate young adult.
"However, for everything that has a beginning, there has to be an end, and we have come to a natural and amicable one."
Barry, however, added that Raceline will continue to develop local talent to be competitive at a high level.
"Malaysia still has a pool of untapped local talents that is waiting to be discovered. Moving forward, Raceline will continue to develop and groom these young talents, set higher goals for them and fully maximize their potential," he added.
Hafizh has enjoyed his best season in Moto2 to date and has scored two podium finishes at Motegi and Misano.
He is widely expected to race for SIC Racing Team in Moto2 next year, with the team rumoured to be grooming him for a shot at MotoGP in 2019.
Though Raceline will no longer be part of Hafizh's racing career, Petronas could still be a sponsor for the rider. Shared naming rights for the new Moto2 team alongside SIC could be a possibility.
At the moment, SIC Racing Team are only competing in Moto3.