Tech 3 KTM rider Hafizh Syahrin had a mini surgery after his MotoGP crash in last weekend’s Austrian GP race.
Things hasn’t been smooth for Syahrin since the switch to KTM in 2019 MotoGP season as the Malaysian has struggled like factory rider Johann Zarco to adjust with the bike after riding the Yamaha last year.
It is not uncommon to have such issues but both have paid the price as Syahrin lost his ride to Moto2 graduate Brand Binder, while Zarco and KTM mutually decided to end their contract after the 2019 season.
Zarco has only 22 points to be 17th in the standings, with Syahrin in 25th with just the three points as his teammate Miguel Oliveira is 15th with 26 points. The Austrian MotoGP race weekend saw more trouble for Syahrin.
Following his retirement in the Czech GP due to a late crash, the Malaysian crashed out again in Austrian GP on Lap 3 as he suffered a concussion and injured his right elbow, which required medical attention.
He was taken to the hospital on Sunday night, where they performed a mini surgery on his right elbow to remove the graze, while they also tested him for concussion. He left the hospital on Monday after nearly a day there.
He is will be pushing to recover for the British MotoGP race in two weeks time. Post-race, Tech 3 team boss Herve Poncharal said he wants to sit down and speak with Syahrin again about the issues he is facing.
“It was another DNF [for Syahrin], which is a bit worrying for me, because recently since the return from the summer break, Hafizh feels a bit nervous and maybe pushing beyond the limit,” he said.
“He was taken to hospital for a check, as he had a small head concussion. Outside from that, he seems to be ok. But clearly, I think we need to sit down with him and again, tell him that the most important is to be safe and to be finish the race.
“I think he had another possibility to score points, but it was another possibility wasted.” It will be interesting course of action from KTM now, especially with Zarco moving out, leaving a seat to be filled.
Should they use their own rider, it will be Oliveira alongside Pol Espargaro, which will leave a seat open in Tech 3 alongside Binder. The team may rethink and retain Syahrin but only time will tell if it can happen or not.