Ex-MotoGP rider Syahrin joins Mercado at MIE Honda for 2022 WorldSBK
Former MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin will race in the 2022 WorldSBK Championship aboard the MIE Honda, alongside the re-signed Leandro Mercado
MIE Racing has confirmed it will double up its effort for the 2022 WorldSBK Championship after signing ex-MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin alongside the retained Leandro Mercado.
The only team on the grid to run Honda CBR1000RR-R machinery beyond the HRC factory team, MIE Racing returns to a full strength two rider outfit for 2022 having run only a single entry, part-season entry for Mercado.
As rumoured, the Argentine will be paired with ex-MotoGP rider Syahrin, the first person hailing from a south-east Asian nation to compete at motorcycle racing’s highest level in 2018.
Spending two seasons in MotoGP with Tech 3 Racing - first on a Yamaha and then on a KTM - Syahrin returned to the Moto2 class in 2020 but will now embark on a fresh challenge in WorldSBK.
“I would like to thank the team, Midori Moriwaki especially, and Honda for the belief and trust they put in me,” he said. “I am sure we will be able to work well together and hopefully produce good results.
“I will do my very best as always. This will be a new challenge for me, and I am enthusiastic about getting started!
“I would like to thank all the sponsors, my family, friends, and the fans as well for their continuous support - I know everyone is as excited as I am! Bring it on!”
Syahrin is the third rider to confirm a switch from the GP paddock to WorldSBK over the winter, following on from soon-to-be Honda stablemates Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge in the factory HRC set up.
