Brno winner Hakim Danish on the penalty: “I just blocked it out!”

Hakim Danish has put in some impressive performances so far in his Moto3 rookie season. At Mugello, he secured his first podium finish in the Motorcycle World Championship. However, the third-placed rider in the 2025 Red Bull Rookies Cup experienced his highlight of the season so far last weekend in Brno.

The omens for Sunday’s Moto3 race were far from ideal for the Malaysian rider. Although he secured second place on the grid in qualifying, he was demoted by twelve places for lazing about. As a result, Danish started the race from 14th on the grid.

The class rookie got off to a very good start and catapulted himself up to eighth place. By the end of the first lap, he was already fifth. After that, the MSi rider remained in the leading group for the entire race, fighting his way up to second place on the tenth lap. He stuck close to the rear wheel of World Championship leader Maximo Quiles, and a six-way battle for victory ensued.

On the final lap, Quiles and Uriarte made contact – Danish slipped through on the inside and took the lead. He managed to open up a small gap, whilst behind him his pursuers battled for the podium places. In the end, Hakim Danish crossed the finish line ahead of Brian Uriarte and Maximo Quiles.

Danish secured his first Grand Prix victory in Brno. It was also Malaysia’s first win since Khairul Idham Pawi’s victory in 2016. “I’m so happy to have secured my first Moto3 win,” said the 18-year-old during the post-race press conference. “The race was very tough for me. It wasn’t easy for me to move up the field because I started in the middle of the pack. I had a good pace and was able to stay with the leading group. On the final lap, the two riders in front of me had to take a wide line – I seized the opportunity and won the race.”

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How did he feel when he was handed a penalty after qualifying and was demoted to 14th on the grid? “I was told by race control that I’d been penalised for riding too slowly,” explained Danish. “I just put that out of my mind and tried to stay focused. I concentrated on getting off to a good start and making overtaking manoeuvres as early as possible. Maximo and Almansa had a very good pace; I tried to move up the field as early as possible and follow them – otherwise they would have pulled away from me.”

The fast circuit in Brno suits the rookie. “It was my first time on this track. Right from FP1, I felt great on the bike,” enthused Danish. “I like this layout with the fast corners; it suits my riding style very well and I’ve got the speed here.”

Following his victory in Brno, Hakim Danish sits seventh in the World Championship standings with 73 points. “This win is brilliant for me. I’m already looking forward to fighting for more podium finishes or perhaps even winning again,” he smiled.