Syahrin will become the first-ever Malaysian rider to ride the premier-class after being selected to replace Jonas Folger, who was forced to withdraw on the eve of the season with Gilbert's syndrome.
Syahrin has been a regular fixture of the Moto2 class since 2014, scoring a best championship finish of ninth in 2016 aboard a Petronas-backed Kalex and sealing two podium finishes last season.
Meanwhile, Hafizh Syahrin new team Tech 3 confirmed yesterday (22/2/18), they will end an 18-year partnership with bike manufacturer Yamaha at the conclusion of the 2018 MotoGP season.
In a statement, Tech 3 which made its premier-class debut in 2001 and has been with Yamaha ever since, did not specify which bikes it will run going forward, but confirmed it has already received an offer it "couldn't say no" to.
Suzuki and KTM are both known to be keen on making at least two bikes available for a satellite team for 2019, while Aprilia could also be on the market for a customer squad deal.
Currently, there are eight Ducatis, six Honda and four Yamahas competing in MotoGP, while KTM, Suzuki and Aprilia field two works bikes each.
In my opinion a very surprising news has happened, I felt the relationship between Tech 3 and Yamaha was strong; however it wasn't, it might be long and touch decision the team has chosen. My guess Tech 3 will use KTM bikes for the 2019 MotoGP season in-which former riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró race this season.
It was confirmed on Wednesday (21/2/18) Moto2 rider Francesco Bagnaia will graduate to MotoGP next year with the Alma Pramac Racing team, riding a 2019 spec Ducati Desmosedici.
Bagnaia, who is part of seven-time premier class champion Valentino Rossi's VR46 Riders Academy.
Bagnaia will replace Danilo Petrucci who is leaving the team at the end of the 2018 MotoGP season.
No word yet on who is Francesco Bagnaia team-mate yet at Pramac, it would be more than likely be current Pramac rider Jack Miller for 2019.
Finally, it was confirmed last month (24/1/18) Maverick Viñales has signed a new two-year deal with that will see him continue to compete with the factory Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team in MotoGP in 2019 and 2020.
Viñales finished in third place in the MotoGP standings last season winning three MotoGP wins in his debut season for the team mostly outperforming his older team-mate Valentino Rossi.
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