KUALA LUMPUR: Zulfahmi Khairuddin hopes to seal the deal and secure up-and-coming rider Syarifuddin Azman a seat in next year's Moto3 World Championships by October.
Zulfahmi, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) rider development programme head, said he was in contact with several World Championship teams to get a seat for the rider. However, a rider has to secure a sponsor first before he can ride for a Moto3 team.
Zulfahmi also oversees SIC's up-and-coming riders, including Syarifuddin, Hakim Danish Ramli and Danial Syahmi Sharil.
"End of the day, these (World Championship) teams need a budget. They need us to bring in sponsorship from Malaysia," said Zulfahmi in an online press conference from Portimao, Portugal.
"At the moment, I have not been able to commit to their demands. I will have to discuss this with SIC. Hopefully, we will seal the deal before the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (Oct 21-23).
"We must act fast as there is a competition for seats in the World Championships. My aim in the future is to work with SIC to secure corporate sponsors willing enough to help riders take the next step."
Zulfahmi also hopes to get a wildcard for Syarifuddin for the Moto3 class at the Malaysian GP this year.
"That (wildcard) has been the plan since the start of the year and is also one of the reasons I am here in Portimao," said Zulfahmi.
"It will most likely go to Syarifuddin. However, the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) will decide whether he gets it. Usually, they will inform us whether we get the wild card or not."
Syarifuddin, 20, competes in the FIM Junior GP World Championships. He has notched four top-five finishes from seven races and is fifth in the overall standings.
Zulfahmi had last year secured a seat in Moto3 for Syarifuddin although the deal fell through due to a lack of funding.
Syarifuddin will compete in the Portimao round of the Junior GP this weekend.
